A top female officer has returned to the school she attended in East Ham to speak to students about her career.

One of Newham borough’s most senior female officers, Detective Chief Inspector Shabnam Chaudhri, returned to Plashet School on Tuesday, in a bid to inspire a whole new generation of future police officers.

During her visit, DCI Chaudhri attended a special assembly and took part in a number of workshops, before pupils presented her with a framed picture as a memento of her visit.

DCI Chaudhri, who is responsible for Neighbourhood Policing in Newham, said: “Having grown up and had my education in Newham, I have a real passion for policing the diverse communities of London.

“I have worked in a number of demanding roles in my career so far and there is nothing more rewarding than being at the forefront of policing such a diverse community. But it all started here at Plashet School.”

The senior officer moved to Newham at the age of two, she attended Plashet School before joining the Metropolitan Police Service as a police constable and has served in a number of boroughs across east London,

Sohal Gachi, Assistant Headteacher from Plashet School, said: “It was great to see DCI Shabnam Chaudhri back in school leading an assembly in the same hall where she once sat as a student.

“The students could really relate to her, and they found her example of determination, hard work and high ambition to be inspirational.”

Plashet School Year Nine student, Maya, said: “We had the great privilege of meeting one of the first Asian female Metropolitan police chief inspectors.

“She was very inspiring and we were all really proud of all that she has achieved. Best of all she was a former Plashet Student!”