Leading the fight against crime on the streets of Bristol

By callen

Every good team needs a great leader.

And these three PCs are some of the best beat managers in the region, as winners in the Community Policing Awards 2009.

Before Christmas, communities were asked to nominate their favourite beat managers, policing teams, police community support officers, special constables and civilian staff.

A record 689 nominations were received in the awards' third year.

For the beat managers category, judges were looking for PCs who are seen by the public, and their team, as an essential part of life in the community.

PC Sean Underwood won the Bristol district award for his work managing Lawrence Weston.

He has been instrumental in fostering better relationships with youngsters in the area, is pushing for a Motocross facility and is also chair of the local community safety partnership.

The married father-of-one said: "I was very surprised to win the award but I feel very proud. I work with some very good PCSOs in Tom Thompson and Jayne Cranmer."

Neil Whyman, beat manager for Thornbury and Alveston, won the prize for South Gloucestershire.

The reasons for his success include helping to secure an anti-social behaviour order against Gary Jacklin, a drunken trouble- maker who used to bully a man suffering from Asperger's syndrome.

The beat team arrested him once he had breached his Asbo and he was jailed for 42 weeks.

PC Whyman also instigated a leaflet campaign discouraging anti-social behaviour and a successful pub watch scheme.

The married father-of-two, 36, said: "I was shocked but very pleased to hear I had won. We work in a very community-orientated area so I'm delighted someone has put pen to paper and nominated me."

Glenn Wheeler, the beat manager for Preanes Green, Mead Vale and Locking Castle for the last four years, was crowned best in North Somerset.

PC Wheeler and his team have cut crime by working closely with the local schools, resolving neighbourhood disputes and cracking down on speeding.

"I'm very surprised to have won, but very pleased," said the 43-year-old father-of-two.

David Jones, who nominated the PC, said: "It is a pleasure to be able to live in Mead Vale without worrying about windows getting hit or teenagers fighting outside your front door."

The awards are organised by the police authority and constabulary and are sponsored by the Evening Post, among others.

Dr Moira Hamlin, Avon and Somerset Police Authority chairwoman, said: "This year's judges have had a really tough job deciding the winners with a record number of entries to go through."

Rachel Clark was beat manager of the year for Somerset East, Joanne Jeffrey for Somerset West and Martyn Bridges for Bath and North East Somerset.

Shortlisted for the category were Matthew McQuaid (Bishopsworth); Natalie Draper (Thornbury); Phillip Armitage (Keynsham); Mark Hurst (Yeovil); Tessa Wood (Wellington) and Adam Clark (Nailsea).

The overall force winners for the five categories will be announced on Tuesday, March 2, at a Gala Dinner at Cadbury House, Congresbury.