Praise for neighbourhood police in Tidworth and Burbage

Neighbourhood police officers from Tidworth and Burbage have won praise in the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire’ Angus Macpherson’s annual Neighbourhood Policing Awards.

Marking the valuable community work, the awards were presented at Devizes Police HQ last Friday (June 5.)

The award for Police Officer of the year went to PC Tim Blunt of Tidworth.  “He has”, said the judges, “contributed greatly to the significant reduction in crime in the area and his commitment to relentlessly targeting the supply of drugs has led to a significant number of arrests.”

In PC Blunt’s spare time he gives football coaching to young people in the Tidworth area.

One of the three runners up for that award was PC Teresa Herbert of Burbage.  She was nominated by Burbage Parish Council and David Lemon, of East Grafton Parish Council.   

Summing up her work, the judges said: PC Herbert seems to work 24/7 and is a visible presence in her area. She is up to speed on everything that is happening in the villages and is unanimously put forward for this award by every one of the parish councillors.”

“She has also been working closely with the local farmers to respond to incidents involving hare coursers, poachers and theft. She once cycled eight miles to make an arrest.  Due to her hard work she has reduced crime levels in the rural area, raised spirits and built farmers’ confidence in Wiltshire Police.”