Caring Harby volunteer honoured with police recognition award

Gill Becken of Harby has been presented with a Police Support Volunteer Special Recognition Award for her outstanding contribution to the Vale of Belvoir Beat Team.

She was nominated by the Melton Rural North Beat Team and asked to attend the Vale police office in Bottesford to accept the accolade from Inspector Gavin Drummond, at a specially arranged ceremony just for her.

Mrs Becken has been a police support volunteer since 2009. Her work includes attending beat surgeries, community events, village engagement and liaising with contacts. Gill is also Vale Neighbourhood Watch coordinator which means she is able to ensure all police reports are relayed efficiently.

A spokesperson for the Melton Rural North Beat Team said: “Gill’s continuing efforts as a police volunteer stretches over a vast number of years, and her efforts are truly appreciated and respected by all the staff that have the pleasure of working with her.

“Her communication skills are of the highest quality and she immediately puts members of the public at ease, breeding confidence and delivering a thorough service for the team.

“As a Beat Team we’re very grateful for the extra efforts that Gill goes to in making sure we offer the best service we can, and for the support that she offers throughout each year. There have been incidents in the past which have meant that our attendance at events have been either adjusted or cancelled but we know that we can rely on Gill, with her welcoming extra responsibility and offering a wealth of experience in our absence.

“I can’t speak highly enough of Gill and the work that she does as a member of the Police family.”

Gill’s other voluntary roles of note include being a member of the Police Advisory group at Melton Local Policing Unit and running Harby “Saints” Youth Club.

She said: “I love being a support volunteer because I enjoy assisting officers at events, researching information, and mixing with the community. The officers are very supportive of the volunteers and I feel valued and appreciated. It’s a two way thing, they support us, and we support them.

“I feel privileged to be chosen for this accolade. It’s gratifying that the team I work with appreciate what I do, but I can’t do this without their guidance.”