Beyond the call of duty

Central Hampshire Divisional Superintendent, Bob Rose, hosted the awards at the city's North Walls police station.

They are presented each year to officers, special constables and support staff in recognition of work considered "above and beyond the call of duty".

Supt Rose said: "My officers do a good job and a hard job. What we are not particularly good at is saying to people 'well done" for what they have achieved."

Among those cited was Pc Kevin Morley, (26), who has only been with the force for 18 months.

He pursued and arrested a known drug dealer, despite an injury sustained during the chase.

"This award is a real boost because I am still in my probationary period and it shows I am doing a good job," he said.

Pc Matt Smith and Sergeant Gary Woods received their awards for apprehending the attacker of a man assaulted and robbed of his mobile phone in Winchester High Street.

Pc Smith (31), who has been with the force for three years, said: "It was just being in the right place at the right time. It's good to be recognised for doing a good job."

Sergeant Woods (34) added: "I'm very proud."

Pc Gavin Hemingway (29), who has been with Winchester Traffic division for six years, was given an award for talking a distressed man out of throwing himself from a bridge.

"He was about 18 stone, but he let me get close enough to talk to him for about 45 minutes about his kids and find some common ground," he said.

"I am really happy where I am and it's great to get some recognition."

North Walls station enquiry officer, Margaret Holmes, was awarded for her initiative.

She spotted an advert in the Hampshire Chronicle's sister newspaper, the NewsExtra, seeking a field to hire for a "music and art event" and brought it to the attention of her superior, so prompting an investigation which put a stop to a "rave".

"I don't think anyone in the area would have wanted that sort of thing going on all night and it would have cost the taxpayer a lot of money to clear it up," she said.