POLICE officers based in Amersham and Chesham were among a long line of people rewarded for outstanding service to the Chiltern Vale police area.

Thames Valley Assistant Chief Constable Steve Love and Chiltern Vale Area Commander Superintendent John Donlon presented awards to commend officers and the public for a variety of brave and dedicated acts.

Doran Jensen, scenes of crime officer, and PC Dave Bray, area beat officer for Chesham, were nominated for their hard work and continued dedication in catching a man responsible for a spate of criminal damage and burglaries in Chesham.

Also honoured were Sgt Rob Hood, of Amersham police and DC Nick Hind, based at Wycombe, who identified an armed robber and arrested him after a raid in Lane End.

Police volunteers Patsy Middleton, based at Amersham, and Ken Gabriel, based at Beaconsfield, were praised for giving more than 300 hours of their spare time.

Sgt John Nesbitt and PC Martin Gomm were commended for their consistently high standard of work particularly after Operation Goldfish last December when officers raided Wapsey's Wood caravan site, Gerrards Cross, arresting 11 people and recovering a firearm.

Supt Donlon said: "When these people do something above and beyond what we and the public expect of them we need to do something extra to show our thanks. These occasions also provide an opportunity to recognise the excellent bravery which members of the public display when faced with dangerous situations."

The awards ceremony was held on Friday at the Royal British Legion, in High Wycombe.