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EXCEPTIONAL POLICING HONOURED AT CENTRAL BCU POLICE AWARDS CEREMONY

Date Published: 08/08/2012

EXCEPTIONAL POLICING HONOURED AT CENTRAL BCU POLICE AWARDS CEREMONY

The hard work of police officers and staff who go above and beyond the call of duty has been recognised at the South Wales Police Central BCU Awards Ceremony.

The event, sponsored by Buy As You View, Bridgend Office Furniture, The Vale Resort and ACD Skips, was held at Porthcawl Grand Pavilion recently to celebrate the outstanding achievements of officers, staff and partner agencies over the past 12 months in keeping the communities of Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan safe.

A total of 13 awards were given out, ranging from the Police Officer Lifetime Achievement Award through to accolades for exceptional bravery, leadership, and teamwork.

This year, the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Buy As You View, was scooped by Mark Taylor, Local Policing Inspector for the Vale of Glamorgan.

Inspector Taylor, who joined South Wales Police in 1982 at just 18 years of age, was credited for his commitment to policing in the Vale and his outstanding investigative and partnership work over the length of his 30 year career.

The evening also saw PCSO Meurig Coleman receiving the Bravery Award for his actions in saving another man’s life.

In October 2011, Meurig was off duty when a distressed neighbour came to his door for help after finding that her partner had tried to take his own life. Meurig rushed to the aid of his stricken neighbour and remained with the man until the arrival of paramedics.

A further highlight of the ceremony came when Porthcawl Neighbourhood Policing Team won the Teamwork Award.

The neighbourhood team was recognised for its policing of major tourist events, such as the Porthcawl Carnival and the annual Elvis Festival, and ensuring the safety of both visitors to the town and the communities of Porthcawl.

The officers within the team have also launched numerous campaigns and initiatives over the past year to tackle those problems that matter most to the residents of Porthcawl, such as anti-social behaviour, parking issues and burglary.


Chief Superintendent Liane James, Divisional Commander for Central BCU, said: “The ceremony was a most worthy platform of recognition for both officers and staff who go above and beyond the call of duty in serving the communities of Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Over the past year as Divisional Commander for Central BCU, I have had the opportunity to see first hand the excellent work that these individuals and teams undertake in our communities everyday.

In the past twelve months, there has been a 4.9% fall in crime across Bridgend and the Vale. That’s 744 fewer victims of crime, with notable reductions in dwelling burglaries, auto crime and criminal damage.

These figures are very much a testimony to the hard work and dedication of our officers and staff and I feel privileged to work alongside such colleagues. They have made a tremendous difference to the communities of Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan and I am immensely proud of their achievements over the past year”.

Further award winners of the evening included:

Investigator of the Year Award (joint winners):

DC Mike Hill

DC Hill has been a detective within the Vale of Glamorgan CID since 1998. He is renowned amongst colleagues not only for his exceptional abilities as a detective but also for his knowledge of our communities.

DC Hill was awarded for the outstandinginvestigative skills demonstrated in detecting the man responsible for a robbery in Cowbridge in February 2012, where an elderly lady was knocked to the floor and had her handbag stolen. The man was arrested, charged and sentenced to 2 years imprisonment thanks to DC Hill’s efforts.



PC Emma Cronin

As Central BCU Missing Person Co-ordinator, Emma has worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of missing people and their families/carers.

Her professionalism and commitment has seen her gain the trust of some of Bridgend and the Vale’s most vulnerable young people.

In February 2012, Emma attended the residence of one young girl out of concern and found that she had overdosed on painkillers. Emma made her purge the medication and kept her conscious until paramedics arrived.

Diversity Award:

Bridgend Hate Crime Awareness Campaign

In March 2012, Bridgend Community Safety Partnership launched their ‘Anyone Can Report a Hate Crime’ campaign in order to raise awareness of hate crime cross the borough.

As part of the campaign, Safer Bridgend held a community engagement event with Bridge FM and Mr Simon Green, Chair of the Bridgend Coalition of Disabled People, where police officers and staff provided advice to the public about hate crime and how to seek help.

Wales rugby player Gareth Thomas and further members of the Bridgend community also backed the campaign to promote equality and educate the public with regards to hate crime, its causes and its consequences.

Emma-Louise Maher, Community and Welfare Officer for Safer Bridgend said: “We want to ensure that Bridgend is an inclusive and vibrant place where people from diverse backgrounds live and work together and where residents enjoy an improving quality of life through consistently fair access to services, opportunities and a cohesive and safe community.”

Community Officer Award:

PCSO Maria Pascoe


During the past twelve months, PCSO Pascoe has made a real difference and significant contribution to the Maesteg community by leading on various local initiatives.

Maria has been instrumental in the implementation of the Maesteg Business Watch project, which aims to tackle retail crime within the town. She has also reintroduced and chairs Pub Watch meetings in a bid to identify long-term solutions to violent crime and late night economy issues in the town.

Local people know Maria and she in turn knows them, being on first name turns with much of the community. To this end, PCSO Pascoe is an integral part of the community and a well respected member of the Maesteg Policing Team.

Problem Orientated Award:

Acting Police Sergeant Stuart Wong

A/PS Wong is Barry sector’s lead for metal theft, a crime that is a policing priority across South Wales as it causes significant loss and damage to both residential and business communities.

In January 2012, Stuart launched Operation Valance- a comprehensive day of action that saw numerous partners coming together to tackle metal theft in Barry.

The operation saw officers from South Wales Police, British Transport Police, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, VOSA, Vale of Glamorgan Council and Trading Standards amongst others visiting sites identified as dealing in both scrap and motor salvage in the area.

The successful crackdown saw VOSA serving 7 immediate prohibition notices on goods vehicles, an £850.00 on the spot fine for ‘red diesel’ usage as well as numerous record keeping and compliance issues being identified by Trading Standards and the Environment Agency.

Leadership Award:

Police Sergeant Jason McGill (Picture)

PS Jason McGill, who serves in Bridgend, has meticulously planned crime reduction operations for events such as the 2011 Christmas period and 2012 Six Nations tournament. Jason’s conscientious nature and leadership skills ensured that Bridgend remained safe for those visiting the pubs and clubs over these two busy periods.

PS McGill strives to ensure a level of professionalism in everything that he and his officers do, ensuring a quality service is provided to the communities of Bridgend at all times.

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