A VOLUNTEER police officer has received a top award for her exemplary work on the beat in Dursley.

Three-and-a-half years ago, Jasmine Smart was looking for a way to help make a difference in the Dursley area and signed up to become a special constable.

The 28-year-old, who is also a professional actress, patrols the streets of the town and takes an active role in road safety initiatives with the special constabulary’s road safety and education and enforcement team, as well as other force road safety campaigns.

She is a family liaison officer (FLO) too, has trained as a trauma risk management coordinator and is a hate crime champion.

And last month, Jasmine, known as Jazz, was recognised for her dedication in her PC role at an awards ceremony in Wiltshire, where she received the Special Constable of the Year award.

She said: “I really enjoy being able to support people as a special constable - luckily people find talking to me very easy and I often find I can help vulnerable people and problem solve.

“The main job of a special constable is to listen more than to talk.

"If you just talk you never find out what’s really going on.

“In my experience, if you are nice to people, most people will eventually be nice back.”

Wiltshire Police chief constable Kier Pritchard, who presented the awards, said: “I have a huge admiration for all of the volunteers.”