Staff, officers and volunteers from across the Avon and Somerset force area have been rewarded for their hard work and dedication to neighbourhood policing at a special awards ceremony.

The inaugural Community Policing Awards were jointly organised by the Constabulary and Police Authority to recognise the exceptional contribution that members of the force have made to their communities.

Members of the public were asked to nominate staff and officers for five categories - Outstanding Customer Service, PCSO of the Year, Special Constable of the Year, Neighbourhood Beat Manager of the Year and Neighbourhood Team of the Year.

A judging panel then chose winners for each of the six policing districts who were then invited to the awards ceremony, held at the Cadbury House, Congresbury, on Monday, March 10, to find out who the force winners were.

The force winners were:

Outstanding Customer Service Award

Sgt Richard Durnford (Bath and North East Somerset)

PCSO of the Year

Sarah McQuitty (Bath and North East Somerset)

Special Constable of the Year

Mike O'Brien (Bristol)

Neighbourhood Beat Manager of the Year

PC Nick King (Bristol)

Neighbourhood Team of the Year

Taunton East (Somerset West)

Dr Moira Hamlin, Chair of the Police Authority, said: "These awards have been a real pleasure to organise as we have been highly impressed, humbled and touched by the many wonderful stories we have heard about the real difference the officers and staff of Avon and Somerset Constabulary are making to their neighbourhoods.

"It has been great to be able to have an opportunity to honour these people and we must also pay tribute to the many officers and staff who did not receive awards but who do a difficult and often thankless job with dedication and commitment."

Chief Constable Colin Port said: "This is a wonderful event that celebrates the work that is done by members of the police force on a daily basis for the people of Avon and Somerset. There are also many more people working hard in the community who are just as deserving of an award.

"The roll out of neighbourhood policing is ongoing and it is really important that, as part of that, we continue to get the public more engaged in our work."

Over 400 nominations were received from members of the public across the force area for the awards.

A judging panel which included Dr Hamlin, Mr Port and awards sponsors met to choose category winners for each of the six policing districts in Avon and Somerset before selecting an overall force winner.