OFFICERS who turned to sophisticated technology to track down two arsonists have been recognised for their work.

ear.Investigators from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate received certificates of merit at a ceremony for their efforts in hunting down two men responsible for a series of attacks in rural Maidstone last y

In the hunt for Neil Clark and Marc Hitchock, who eventually admitted five counts of conspiracy to commit arson, police turned to the internet to catch them.

They found they had logged onto three wi-fi connections belonging to other people’s email accounts not protected by passwords close to their homes in Shepway, Maidstone, when sending threatening emails to the Kent Messenger under the name Fire Starter spelt backwards.

They also used Automatic Number Plate Recognition to locate their cars at the scenes.

Police also called on a linguistic expert to link the style of writing used in Clark’s confession letter and the emails.

The pair had revealed in emails to the KM that they had left numbers spray painted at the fires in Headcorn, Sutton Valence, Lenham, Boughton Monchelsea and Ulcombe Hill.

Police found a number 22 painted on a wall at Clark’s home was in the same style as the numbers.

A number of officers and staff received head of directorate cetrificates of merit for their contribution to the investigation.

Ass Chief Con Gary Beautridge said: "The awards ceremony celebrated the work of officers and staff who help to disrupt and tackle serious and organised crime. It recognised those who go above and beyond the call of duty."