A firearms officer at Essex police has been charged with a string of firearms charges, including possessing prohibited weapons.

David Sims, 69, a firearms enquiry officer, has been summonsed to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ court on July 21, charged with three counts of possessing a prohibited weapon, possessing a firearm without a certificate and possessing ammunition without a certificate.

Mr Sims has been suspended from his role and an internal discipline investigation is being conducted.

Firearms enquiry officers are responsible for ensuring compliance with UK gun laws and investigation into firearms related issues.

The charges were levelled as a result of Operation Wishbone, an internal audit.