West Midlands police awards - pictures

Acts of outstanding courage and dedication by police officers and members of the public were celebrated in a special ceremony in Wolverhampton.

The tributes were led by Chief Superintendent Richard Green, Operational Commander for Wolverhampton West, who told a packed conference room at the city's Mount Hotel: "There are lots of good things about my job but this is one of the best."

More than 70 people, including officers, civilian staff, community support officers, special constables and residents, received commendations at last night's awards ceremony.

Among them were all 16 members of the Bilston Street station's custody block, who have achieved the best performance figures throughout the West Midlands force, a position they have held for nine months and one unequalled by any other command unit in the region.

The impact of their success has freed up officers from time-consuming station duties, releasing them to spend more time on patrol duty.

Most heart-warming were the stories of members of the public who were honoured as Good Citizens, not least those of 80-year-old Thelma

Hollinshead and her neighbour Sharon Dixon, 44, who have helped rid part of their Blakenhall community of drugs and prostitution.

The pair have lived side by side in Byrne Road for 23 years, although Thelma moved to the street with her family when she was three years old and has never left.

The women became concerned at how the neighbourhood was changing and were tired of being woken in the night by dealers and other unsavoury characters.

They started monitoring the comings and goings in the road and passed on their observations to the police and even went to court to give evidence.

Mother-of-three Patricia Harrison, 49, also went to court to speak out against youths who were harrassing her All Saints neighbourhood, a courageous act which led to them receiving three-year anti social behaviour orders.

She said: "They would throw eggs at us and give us verbal abuse as we were taking the young ones to school. I just decided to make a stand." Her youngest daughter Angela, who attended the ceremony, said: "I'm so proud of my mum."

Friends Jenny Taylor, of Pendeford, and Helen Sealise, of Bilston, were recognised for launching Eyes, a project for young people in Wolverhampton.

The city-wide Engage Youth Empowerment Services is aimed at anyone between 12 and 24 "because there is a need", said Jenny.

New Park Village resident Joe Jackson set up an activities network for young people in his area after becoming concerned about gang culture.

The Wolverhampton College sports lecturer runs a football development project in the community to promote the benefits of fitness and teamwork and also leads safety workshops, all with the aim of providing better role models, positive attitudes and opportunities for local children.

The awards were presented by Assistant Chief Constable Christopher Duffield, Derek Smith, the force's director of resources, Wolverhampton Mayor Christine Mills and Gordon Richards, former commandant of the special constabulary.

Introducing the awards, Ch Supt Green said: "This is a celebration of people's courage and dedication, and of their service to the people of Wolverhampton, including members of the public who have contributed to making the city an even safer and better place to be."

And he thanked the recipients' families for their support, given the impact of the job on officers' social and family life.

The Gordon Richards Trophy went to special constable Aroon Aftab who regularly carries out between 35-40 hours of duty a month.

In particular, the officer has compiled background inormation through CCTV footage and other security devices about thefts at St John's Retail Park, off the city's ring road.

Presenting the award, Mike Rogers, deputy chief officer of the Special Constabulary, said: "He has often changed his duties to allow him to attend stores during opening times and has made himself available at particularly busy times when it is known that the store goods are untagged and there is minimal security. All these duties were undertaken on his own initiative."

He was also praised for taking part in drugs raids and car crime initiatives and for taking time out to mentor and encourage new recruits.

Sgt Ralph Howarth led a team of officers in an 18-month inquiry into a number of fraud offences after noticing that three similar ongoing investigations had each thrown up the name of a serial offender.

Taking advice from the economic crime unit, the officers embarked on a protracted inquiry involving voice and handwriting analysis, obtaining copies of bank statements and searches of the offender's home.

Earlier this year the fraudster was jailed for two years and his accomplice given a nine-month suspended sentence. Sgt Howarth was honoured along with Pcs Kenneth Wheat, Andrew Elwell and Graham Lees.

Also recognised were Bilston Street front office staff Sara Sankey and Lee Gater who managed to fend off a violent attacker who tried to force his way behind the desk into the secure area of the station. It later transpired that the man was carrying a knife and had swallowed a quantity of heroin just before rushing into the foyer in May. The pair were commended for their courage and resilience.

Janice Johnson.nextpage

Rajinder Basi.nextpage

Stephen Carrier.nextpage

Sergeant Rebecca Barnsley.nextpage

Rachel Pedley, Karen Payne and Kerry Bromhall. nextpage

Jas Saini and James Carver.nextpage

Mark Taggart, Steve Turner, Gary Wallis and (front) Tom Cudderford.nextpage

Joe Jackson and his wife Deborah.