DEDICATED police officers, firefighters and members of the public have been honoured for their hard work and community-mindedness.

Hampshire Constabulary officers and staff, Hampshire Fire Service officers and staff, members of the community and local volunteers were honoured at the Safer North Hampshire Community Safety Awards.

Attendees gathered from across Basingstoke & Deane, Hart District and Rushmoor Borough for the annual event, held at Farnborough College of Technology, to receive commendations for bravery, professionalism and volunteer work.

Winners were congratulated by the then mayor and mayoress of Basingstoke and Deane Borough, Councillors Paul and Jane Frankum.

Recipients of awards included:

•The Hartley Wintney Fire Station Co-Responder team, which assists South Central Ambulance Service in its response to emergency calls.

•Hampshire Constabulary, Festival Place shopping centre and an employee of Lloyds Bank received an award for their response to an incident where an older person was being pressured to withdraw a large sum of money by suspected rogue traders.

•Volunteers such as Mike Coe, who won an award for his commitment to the Neighbourhood Watch scheme in Basingstoke and Deane.

Other attendees at the ceremony included Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service group commander Ryan Thurman and Chief Inspector Matthew Reeves from Hampshire Constabulary.

Councillor Simon Bound, chairman of the Safer North Hampshire Partnership and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Rooksdown ward member, said: “This award ceremony always serves to remind us of the amazing work being carried out every day in every way in North Hampshire.

"The awards demonstrate individual and collective dedication by professionals and volunteers working in partnership to make our communities safer.”

The next award ceremony will be held in early 2019, with nominations opening in autumn.

For more information, email communitysafetyteam@communitysafetynh.org or call 01252 774476.