THURROCK’S top police officer has been arrested on suspicion of a sex offence.

Chief Insp Ben Hodder has been temporarily removed from his post as district commander.

His colleague Leigh Norris has stepped in as acting chief inspector.

A spokesman from Essex Police said: “On Thursday, May 8, Essex Police arrested a man in connection with an investigation into an allegation of a sexual offence.”

He is due to answer bail this month.

Nobody else has been arrested in connection with the investigation and inquiries are ongoing.

The police have not released any other details in relation to the arrest – or where the offence is alleged to have happened.

Mr Hodder had been district commander of the police in Thurrock for more than two years – and has almost 20 years’ service in Essex Police, mainly in Thurrock, Basildon and Harlow.

He has been a prolific Twitter user, but has not posted anything on his professional social media account since May 8.

The Echo has attempted to contact Mr Hodder, but he has been unavailable for comment.

Acting chief Insp Leigh Norris has refused to comment on the matter too.