Search is on for Leicestershire's best beat bobby
Day after day, Leicestershire's beat bobbies work to keep our streets free of crime and antisocial behaviour.
Now you have the chance to show your appreciation to these unsung heroes, as the annual Leicester Mercury-backed search for the county's Beat Bobby of the Year 2010 begins.
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Last year, the title went to Campus Park officer Pc Harvey Watson
From today we want you to nominate your local officer and tell us why he or she should be crowned top of the cops.
The winner of the competition will be presented with a shield and crystal rose bowl and go forward to the national finals in London.
Following the death last June of the 2008 competition winner, 49-year-old Pc Guy Swatland, part of the honour has been renamed the Guy Swatland Memorial Shield.
Last year the title went to Campus Park beat bobby Pc Harvey Watson who patrols Victoria Park, the University of Leicester and the surrounding area.
"It made me feel very proud to be nominated, and even more so to win," he said.
"Naming this award in Guy's honour is a fitting tribute to a lovely man and a dedicated and exemplary beat officer. He is greatly missed by everyone who knew him."
Pc Watson was nominated by student representatives on the basis of his "enthusiasm, innovation and energy".
Among the achievements that led to this nomination was his decision to launch Facebook and Twitter accounts to communicate with the students on his patch.
Over the past 12 months he has continued to keep both sites up to date and has even enlisted the help of top girl-band The Saturdays to help pass on crime prevention tips in a video he posted online.
He said: "Perhaps as much as 90% of my work involves the university.
"Students can be a hard-to-reach community, but being on Facebook and Twitter is a great medium for me to get messages out to them quickly and without being intrusive.
"The key to being a good beat bobby is to be approachable and accessible and this was a way to increase both of those things."
The officer who wins the award receives £5,000 to spend on improvements at their station.
Pc Watson also used the money he won to help increase his presence on the beat by buying a portable computer, identical to those installed in every patrol car in Leicester, to allow him to spend more time in his office in Victoria Park.
He also bought new bikes for himself and a colleague.
Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Gordon Fraser said: "The Beat Bobby of the Year award is very important as it is the public who nominate police officers that have made an impact in their neighbourhoods. I am very proud that this year the award will be named after Guy Swatland."
How to nominate
To ensure your beat bobby gets the recognition they deserve, send written nominations, stating the officer's full name, number and station, plus your name, full address and a daytime phone number to:
Beat Bobby of the Year, Samantha Blake, Events and Awards Co-ordinator, Corporate Development, Force Headquarters, St John's, Enderby, Leicester, LE19 2BX.
Include as much information as possible to show why your bobby is the best. Nominations must be in by Wednesday, March 31.
10 Comments
by Clare Taylor, Leicester
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 1:47PM
“Harvey Watson fully deserved the accolate of Beat Bobby of the Year in 2009 - he is highly effective, visible, and relates well to students and young people - particularly on Facebook and Twitter. I do hope that he manages to achieve this award for a second year.”
by Daniel, Leicester
Tuesday, February 23 2010, 1:48PM
“Ben Swatland, Leicester - fabulously well put!”
by Ben Swatland, Leicester
Tuesday, February 23 2010, 12:43PM
“To all the sceptics out there, you would crumble at some of the situations my dad had to deal with, you are very naive to what a dangerous world we live in and how well all the police offices natiowide do to contain this and keep your way of life. Dont be so ungrateful, you'll be stuffed when its gone.”
by L d, Leicester
Monday, February 22 2010, 2:34PM
“I've lived in Anstey for years, we've had a few good local bobbies on the beat, Especially on friday nights they break up the gangs of youths that hang around the Nook.
So they're not all bad!”
by John, Glenfield
Monday, February 22 2010, 1:07PM
“No problems knowing where the police are in Glenfield (from 9am to 5pm anyway). They're in the portacabin which local parish taxpayers had to fund OVER AND ABOVE the police precept.
We'd be better off with private security.”
by KW, Enderby
Monday, February 22 2010, 11:45AM
“I have lived in Enderby for over ten years, and in that time have only ever seen one PC walking about on foot. I presumed he was lost.”
by Fat Tony Popadopoulos, Indacity
Monday, February 22 2010, 10:24AM
“An Events and Awards Co-ordinator in theCorporate Development department....mindblowing!”
by Gez, Glenfield
Monday, February 22 2010, 10:07AM
“There are plenty of sleeping policemen round my way, presumably the reals ones are all busy reviewing images of those vile criminals doing 34 miles an hour on King Richards Road...?”
by Kulgan, Crydee
Monday, February 22 2010, 10:04AM
“Sceptic beat me to it (pun not intended). I can't remember the last time I saw a 'Beat Bobby' in the village.”
by sceptic, leicester
Monday, February 22 2010, 10:01AM
“Search for Leicestershires best beat bobby?. I"d like to find my so called local beat bobby!”