A POLICE team working to cut rural crime and an officer who supported students rocked by a school terrorism plot have been recognised for their work.

Each year, North Yorkshire Police collects nominations for officers, police staff and volunteers who have shown particular courage, inspiration or compassion in the course of their duties over the previous year.

The chosen officers are rewarded at the North Yorkshire Police Annual Awards, with the top nominees put to a pubic vote to receive the prestigious Public Choice Award.

More than 4,000 people voted in this year’s Public Choice Award – the highest number since its launch in 2015 - and the winners were PCs Craig Davies and Richard O’Connell.

They were chosen for their bravery in wrestling a violent, knife-wielding man to the ground, in a dramatic and bloody domestic incident in Tadcaster last May.

Other award winners were Northallerton PCSO Angie Carey, who was presented with the second place compassion award.

This was for her work for supporting students and staff at a school during high-profile court cases for conspiracy to murder and inciting child sexual abuse.

North Yorkshire’s Rural Taskforce won first place in the inspiration category for their engagement and crime prevention work across the county’s countryside communities.

Commenting on the 2018 award ceremony, which was held at Sandburn Hall near York, Chief Constable Lisa Winward said: “Our Annual Awards ceremony is always a very special evening, because it showcases the work of North Yorkshire Police’s officers, staff and volunteers who really do go the extra mile to keep people safe.

“Many awards ceremonies recognise only the most dramatic incidents – and we have our share of those – but in recognising compassion and inspiration we also pay tribute to those who are not in the public eye, but who nevertheless do outstanding work.

“I’d like to congratulate all of our winners, and thank the public for voting in their thousands for this year’s Public Choice Award.

“Your support means a great deal to everyone across the Force.”