The Neighbourhood Policing Awards 2014 have been launched by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Angus Macpherson.

The aim is to celebrate the men and women who offer exceptional service to their community.

Police officers, police staff, members of the Special Constabulary and other volunteers who have made a real difference to a neighbourhood can all be nominated.

The awards offer the people of Wiltshire and Swindon the chance to recognise fellow members of the public who are helping Mr Macpherson to achieve one or more of his main priorities:

• Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour

• Protecting the most vulnerable in society

• Putting victims and witnesses first

• Reducing offending and re-offending

• Driving up standards of customer service

Mr Macpherson said: “I believe communities can play a key role in policing and reducing crime through greater levels of ownership of community issues and volunteering. These awards will help to promote neighbourhood, farm and Community Speed Watch schemes.

“I am also encouraging the extension of Safe Places schemes to protect the most vulnerable in society.

“I hope that the awards will reflect the work done by the community to put victims and witnesses first, for example through Neighbourhood Justice Panels, Victim Support and groups such as Splitz and Swindon Women’s Aid.

“Finally, I look forward to police officers and staff being nominated for ‘going the extra mile’ to support people in their community.”

The four categories are:

• Neighbourhood Policing Team of the Year

• Police Community Support Officer of the Year

• Volunteer of the Year

• Community Champion of the Year

To make a nomination visit www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk and follow the link to the Neighbourhood Policing Awards. The deadline for nominations is Friday May 9.

The awards will be presented in Devizes during Volunteers’ Week on Friday June 6.