Thornbury police rewarded for hard work (From Gazette Series)

Thornbury police rewarded for hard work

12:34pm Tuesday 9th February 2010 in

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THORNBURY’S policing team have been praised by the local community it serves.

The town’s Acting Police Sergeant Neil Whyman has been awarded South Gloucestershire Beat Manager of the Year 2009, for his work as Thornbury South and Alveston’s Beat Manager.

Also nominated were fellow Thornbury station officers PC Natalie Draper, Thornbury South Beat Manager, and PC Roger Hopes, Severn Beat Manager.

The award was part of the Avon and Somerset’s Community Policing Awards 2009.

PCSO Dawn Golding and PCSO Kelly Dimery, both from Thornbury station, were nominated for PCSO of the Year.

Inspector Deryck Rees, for the Thornbury Policing Neighbourhood Area, said: "I am proud to see the hard work and dedication of the team recognised by the public. These nominations go to show what a difference they make to their communities and this feedback really is appreciated."

APS Whyman, 36, has been at Thornbury police station for seven years and in that time has helped to establish many community projects in the town.

The father-of-two has successfully gained seven anti-social behaviour orders against individuals who have been causing a nuisance in the town and has instigated training for officers on Aspergers Syndrome to create better awareness of the condition in the police force.

APS Whyman helped to set up Thornbury Pub Watch, CCTV cameras in the St Mary Shopping Centre and helped with the organisation and running of the Thornbury Carnival, which saw 11,000 people come to the town. He is also a familiar voice on Thornbury FM giving crime prevention advice.

He said: "I was very shocked but very pleased to hear that I had won one of the awards.

"We work in a very community orientated area so I am delighted someone has put pen to paper and nominated me.

"Part of the success is down to the fact I work as part of a good team and work with community members who are prepared to put themselves out to make Thornbury a better place."

APS Whyman will receive his award at a special ceremony on March 2.