Police officers who took part in the Stansted hijack incident are to have a debriefing at the plush Stansted Hilton.

The hotel was booked for officers to use during a major hijack exercise planned for early next month. But the exercise was cancelled following the real-life emergency.

Officers will now be debriefed at the hotel and benefit from the lessons learned during the four-day hijack.

A police spokesperson said most of the funding for the planned exercise came from the Home Office.

Since the hotel was already booked, it was decided to use it as the debriefing venue and officers will be fed there because they are away from home.

Essex Police would not comment on the costs involved.

A Home Office spokesperson said the debriefing formed a very valuable part of the learning process and the Home Office had no qualms about funding it.

Rooms booked for visiting officers will still be used.

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