A MULTI-MILLION pound money laundering operation that was quashed by Wiltshire Police officers was just one of the stories that came out of their Force Awards last Thursday.

In total, 27 Officers, staff and members of the public were recognised for their service at the awards show at Bradford on Avon's Cumberwell Park.

Officers from Westbury, DS Tracey Mead and DC Mac McLellan, were honoured for their work in the four-and-a-half-year-long Operation Starling - a multi million pound conspiracy to steal and launder money relating to telecommunications equipment.

The investigation began in August 2011 and involved 253 witnesses, 450 statements, 1,628 exhibits and in excess of four months at crown court which finally ended in five suspects being sentenced to years in prison.

DC McLellan said: "I am extremely pleased to have been recognised for this honour. The whole team put in a huge effort for this vast operation which fortunately got the result we were looking for.

"It was a long and demanding investigation that required a huge amount of dedication and teamwork. This was an operation that was staged across the country in what was a highly sophisticated money laundering set-up.

"This was one of the county's largest ever pieces of criminal work and I feel humbled to be sitting here tonight and to be awarded with this Chief Constable's Certificate of Commendation."

The other categories included the Chief Constable’s Certificate of Recognition, Chief Constable’s Certificate of Excellence; Long Service and Good Conduct Awards; Outstanding Teamwork Awards, Assistant Chief Constables Certificate of Recognition and Judges’ Commendation.

Some of the other stories from the night included preventing suicides, knife attacks and being run over by a train among others.

Chief Constable Mike Veale added: "Almost every day I hear about the fantastic work the Wiltshire police force puts in. Your acts of courage and kindness are something to be proud of.

"I am immensely proud that Wiltshire is one of the safest counties in the UK in one of the safest countries in the world. The selfless work you do makes me extremely honoured to be here tonight.

"Stories like we have heard tonight reminds me why I joined the police force, way back in 1984. It is incredibly uplifting and for that I thank you all."

Alongside Chief Constable Mike Veale was Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson and Chief Finance Officer Clive Barker, Assistant Chief Constable Kier Pritchard, Assistant Chief Constable Paul Mills and Lord Lieutenant Mrs Sarah Troughton.