Avon and Somerset Police have taken the opportunity to recognise some local heroes from across the area who are helping to keep their communities safe.

Kevin Williams receiving a certificate for his volunteering.
An event was held at Keynsham Community Space on Tuesday 28th February to celebrate the contribution of volunteers from across Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Certificates and pin badges to mark the volunteers’ service were presented by Avon and Somerset Police’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Sue Mountstevens, and Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Crew.
More than 50 volunteers from across the area were invited to receive acknowledgement for their community service, although not all were able to attend.
Seven people received a pin badge for volunteering for more than a year, while another two were given a pin and a certificate for completing more than five years’ voluntary service. Others who were not able to attend will have their pin badges and certificates sent through the post.
Susan Baron was recognised for giving up her time for a year as a Volunteer Police Cadet Leader with the South Gloucestershire unit, while fellow cadet leader Andrew Hucker has completed two years in the role.
Kevin Williams has also completed two years’ service as a Volunteer Police Cadet leader with the Bath and North East Somerset unit.
Christopher Smith and Jemima Suffolk were both given pin badges having given up their time in a support role for the South Gloucestershire cadet unit for four and three years respectively.
Patricia Trull volunteers as a Community Speed Watch member in Wickwar, helping to keep local roads safe by monitoring traffic speeds and was also presented with a pin badge.
Jennifer Clark has made herself available over the past six years as a voluntary chaperone helping victims and witnesses of crime in South Gloucestershire during the procedure to identify suspects through a digital ’line-up’ process.
Radstock Community Speed Watch member, Michael Rich has carried out the voluntary role for eight years.
North East Area Commander Ian Smith said: “Volunteers do so much to help to keep our communities safe in many different ways. It’s an honour for us to meet and publicly thank them for all they do.”
ACC Sarah Crew said: “On behalf of all my colleagues who are paid to give full time attention to policing duties, on behalf of our fellow citizens and on my own behalf, please accept our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the work you do in the interests of your communities. Policing would not be done nearly so effectively if left to the police alone.”
PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “My vision is to make the people of Avon and Somerset safe and feel safe, and all our volunteers play a vital part in assisting me in achieving this vision. Our volunteers are people that are passionate about policing and our communities and I thoroughly enjoy working alongside them.
“Celebrating the efforts of our volunteers, who continually make a positive difference in their community, is a genuine pleasure. I feel it is important that local residents are given the opportunity to be involved in their local police service. I’d like to once again thank all our volunteers for their invaluable contribution.”