A popular member of Highbridge’s police team has this week been named as one of the region’s top police officers.
PCSO Gill Bawler has been named ‘PCSO Of The Year’ for Somerset West in the annual Community Policing Awards.
Gill was instrumental in setting up the successful Highbridge Dreamscheme (pictured above) and has also spent many years working with Highbridge Youth Club on the town’s Morland estate.
Following a record number of entries in the overall competition, including 407 nominations for the Police Community Support Officer of the Year award, the judges picked six finalists across the Avon and Somerset Police region – with Gill scooping the honours in Somerset West.
She is now due to attend an awards ceremony on March 2nd when a single winner for the whole police force will be announced.
The Community Policing Awards encourage local people to nominate their Neighbourhood Beat Manager, PCSO, Special Constable and Neighbourhood Teams.
It’s not the first time that Highbridge police have been commended for their work. In November 2008, Burnham-On-Sea.com reported how Gill was among the beat team that received an award for helping to cut crime and anti-social behaviour in the town.
Sgt Ian Kennett told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I’m very pleased for Gill – it’s a very well deserved award. She does so much for Highbridge, and a lot of it in her own time. This is excellent recognition for her and the town.”
Chief Constable Colin Port added: “It is great that the public recognise the positive contribution that the police family in its wider sense makes.”
“In addition to congratulating those nominated, it is important to acknowledge the good work by others day in, day out. Everyone should feel extremely proud of what they have achieved.”
