TWO police officers based in Crewe have been crowned the best in Cheshire.
PC Rob Lees has been named as the Cheshire Police Community Officer of the Year and PC Shamaila Ahmed is the force's Probationer Officer of the Year.
In a year as the community police officer for the Alexandra Ward in Crewe, Rob has become a familiar face and name to most people in the ward.
As well as the work usually associated with front line policing, such as tackling violence and drug dealing, taking alcohol from under-age drinking groups, and seizing vehicles which are being used anti-socially, he has set up a Community Speedwatch scheme, helped to establish a regular series of evening activities for teenagers and gained sponsorship to provide equipment for a local football project and for table football.
He said: 'It is very rewarding. The work is driven by the public and the public help to solve the problems. We have come a long way in a year, but there is still a lot to do and we have some great plans for the future.' Insp Sue Fraser, the head of Crewe Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: 'Rob is based in the community and has formed really strong links there.
'People know him well and it's very significant that councillors and other community leaders supported his nomination as Community Officer of the Year.'
The award means Rob automatically goes forward as Cheshire's nomination for the National Community Police Officer of the Year contest.
Shamaila Ahmed joined Cheshire Police in 2004 and has spent the whole of her probation at Crewe. She is part of the Neighbourhood Policing Unit (NPU) investigation team.
She and PC Jim Sharp tracked down a criminal gang who were raiding clothing stores all across the North West, rushing in, grabbing armfuls of goods and then making their getaway in stolen cars.
Painstaking detection work and lengthy interviewing led to the men being jailed.
Shamaila also played a part in work by the investigation team which has resulted in many of Crewe's prolific shoplifters going to prison.
She said: 'The work is always varied. Many days you come in with a clear idea of what you are going to do and you spend the day doing something completely different. I like that.'
Insp Fraser stressed: 'I am immensely proud that two officers from this NPU should win these awards in the same year.
'It gives an idea of the quality of the team which is providing really high calibre policing in Crewe.'
