AN Ealing police officer, who along with her teammates secured England's first Women's Rugby World Cup triumph in 20 years, returned to work this week.

PC Claire Allan is back tackling crime on Ealing’s streets after the excitement of winning the Cup in Paris this month.

Claire joined the Met Police in 2008 after studying sport and exercise at Loughborough University.

She is currently assigned to Ealing's Proactive Team and manages to juggle her career with the long training sessions required to meet the standards of a world-class rugby player.

She said: "I cannot thank Ealing borough enough for the support they have given me throughout our World Cup campaign, especially my line manager Det Sgt Jo Rajkovic and fellow workmates. I feel very fortunate to have been supported so well by my employers."

Borough Commander Nev Nolan said: "As a rugby coach myself, I understand the hard work and dedication that Claire has put in, in her own time, to reach the highest standards.

"It is all the more impressive as she is a full-time thief taker who has demonstrated her tackling abilities on unsuspecting villains, to their cost.

“We are all extremely proud of her here at Ealing. The ladies team has certainly set the bar for the men's world cup next year.”