NORTH Yorkshire Police is inviting people to vote for police officers and staff who have demonstrated particular courage, compassion or inspiration at work.

The force has opened voting on the 2017 Public Choice Award, which gives the public the opportunity to decide who should be awarded recognition for their exceptional work.

This year’s nominees include:

• PC Charlotte Thorpe, who is based at Northallerton, for a painstaking investigation which stopped a stalker

• PC Richard Farrar, based at York, whose policing instincts kept a knife-man at bay

• PCSOs Sean and Annie Simpson, based at Ryedale, whose care and compassion helped a woman with mental health issues to survive a crisis

• PC Russ Buckroyd and PC James Scott, based at Tadcaster, who carried out a river rescue that prevented a girl from losing her life

• Acting Sergeant Kimberly Copestake, Tadcaster, a firearms officer whose campaigning work has helped to break down the barriers to women taking on this vital role in the police service

• The leaders of the Volunteer Cadet programme in Scarborough, who are helping young people to realise their full potential

Chief Constable Dave Jones said: "Last year literally thousands of members of the public voted, and it really does mean a great deal to win this award.

"Our job is to keep people safe and that can throw up some very challenging situations.

"Knowing that people appreciate what you do makes a huge difference to our officers and staff, and the Public Choice Award is a great way to show that support.”

Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, said: "Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their nominations, there are some fantastic examples of bravery, investigative police work, compassion, and even work by a group that helps young people to realise their full potential.

“Now I urge everyone to vote for the person or group that you would like to see win the award. It will mean such a lot because I know just how much public support means to the people who work at North Yorkshire Police.”

Cast your vote at; northyorkshire.police.uk/award2017