A POLICE Community Support Officer (PCSO) from Bullbrook has been named the Thames Valley Police (TVP) Berkshire PCSO of the year.

Iain Gregory, 40, who has worked the beat in the Bracknell neighbourhood for two-and-a-half years, joined the police after working as a holiday rep for seven years.

PCSO Gregory said: "I really enjoyed my job, but when I hit my thirties I thought I should come home and find a 'proper' job. I did various jobs before someone suggested I become a PCSO.

"What's great about being a PCSO is that you really get to know an area, and you can take care of the smaller crimes, freeing up police officers' time to deal with more serious issues. You definitely get out of it what you put in.

Speaking of his award win, PCSO Gregory said it was nice to be recognised by the community he serves.

He said: "It's a lovely award, it was really nice for members of the public to vote for me and really humbling.

"I think a lot of people get to know me because I am always out and about on my bike. I think a lot of them see me as a human face of the police.

"Bullbrook is a really nice community to work in, I was in Harman's Water for eight years, and then I was in Priestwood for a while, but I really enjoy working in Bullbrook."

And readers may recognise PCSO Gregory as there is a lifesize cardboard cut-out of him in the local petrol station.

He said: "It seems to really work, people pull up to the forecourt and think I am standing there. The rates of shop-lifting and people driving off without paying have dropped at that particular filling station."

Another winner of a Community Policing Award is Bracknell and Wokingham Cadet's Harley Jones, who won the Cadet of the year category, after joining the unit when it was set up in 2015.

He said: "Winning this has made me feel extremely honoured and appreciative. It has boosted my confidence and inspiration to fulfil my dream in joining the police."

Now in their 17th year, the Community Policing Awards recognises the exceptional efforts of TVP's neighbourhood policing teams, including Police Officers, PCSOs, Special Constables and volunteers, for the positive impact they have on the local community they serve.

Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Ross said: "The Community Policing Awards give residents, community organisations and businesses the opportunity to recognise a member of our force who they think has gone above and beyond the call of duty to make a difference to local people and local communities.

“Again the response this year from residents was excellent and it was inspiring to see the difference the winners and other nominees are making in their communities to the everyday lives of residents in the Thames Valley. Selecting the winners was a difficult but rewarding experience for the panel and I would like to congratulate the winners as well as acknowledge all of the nominees for their hard work and dedication.”