Give the gift of a ‘thank you’ this winter by nominating your local neighbourhood officer, response officer, special constable, police staff member, investigator, volunteer or policing team for a Be Proud Award.

The nominations are coming in thick and fast for next year’s Be Proud Awards, but to make sure your policing heroes are in with a chance of picking up an award at the ceremony in May, nominate them now.

PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “It’s important we take the time to recognise the work of our emergency services and in particular highlight individual members or teams within the Constabulary who go the extra mile. Many local people have already submitted nominations for their policing heroes and I am excited by the entries I’ve seen so far.

“We always welcome hearing more examples of where officers, staff and volunteers are supporting you and your local community and want you to tell us if those people are worthy of an award. It really means a lot to those you put forward so please nominate anyone you feel deserves special recognition.”

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Sue Mountstevens and Chief Constable Andy Marsh want you to tell them about those extraordinary individuals and teams in policing by visiting beproudawards.com and making a nomination.

Chief Constable Andy Marsh said: “These Be Proud awards are a chance to publically recognise the great work that goes on around the clock in Avon and Somerset to support victims and bring offenders to justice.

“Each week I hear great examples of extraordinary work, and it’s always particularly poignant to receive messages directly from local people who have been thankful for our support.

“I know how much it means to my officers, staff, volunteers and teams when you recognise their dedication, compassion and professionalism. Please keep sending us your nominations.”

We also spoke to some of our previous Be Proud Award winners on their experience of being nominated for an award, you can hear what they had to say here:

You can recognise the work of police officers, staff and volunteers in the following categories: Neighbourhood Officer of the Year; Response Officer of the Year; Investigator of the Year; Police Staff Member of the Year; Police Support Volunteer of the Year; Special Constable of the Year; Policing Team of the Year and the Specialist Operations Award.

To nominate visit beproudawards.com - the closing date is January 27 and nomination forms are also available in police stations and libraries.

After this date an independent panel will select winners and an awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 17 at Cadbury House Hotel where an overall force winner for each category will be announced.

The Be Proud Awards are only possible thanks to the support of our proud partners AN: Event Services and DoubleTree by Hilton: Cadbury House Hotel.