Outstanding acts of bravery and dedication from police officers across the county have been recognised.

More than 15 awards were presented to individuals and teams of police officers, staff and special constables during yesterday’s Suffolk Constabulary Awards Ceremony.

Among the award recipients was Special Constable Emily Heaslip, from Bury St Edmunds, who joined the Force 14 months and has clocked up 700 hours working more than 97 shifts in her first year.

She was presented with the Turner Shield which recognises outstanding contribution, performance or achievement by a probationer Special Constable during the past year.

Miss Heaslip, 19, who juggles the role with her day job as a sales advisor, said: “I am overwhelmed to have been nominated for this award and shocked to receive this after only working within the Special Constabulary for just over a year.

“I have clocked up quite a few hours but I really enjoy my role and do work hard so it is an honour to be recognised in this way.”

Street drinking liaison officer Pc John Alcock received the Martin Smith Award.

In 2009, he created Operation Afresh in response to street drinking concerns which has led to 1,482 alcohol seizures in Ipswich, a 43.1% reduction in street drinking incidents in 2012 compared to 2010 and a fall in the number of persistent street drinkers from 74 to 41.

The operation led to the foundation of the Reducing the Strength campaign which has seen the number of street drinking related incidents falling by 49.2%.

Other award winners included the Crime Reduction team, who won the Archant award, for implementing initiatives to cut crime and Special Constable Elizabeth Mapplebeck, who won The Godfrey Cup, for her work within the public protection unit dealing with sex offenders.

The Sheepshanks Trophy was presented to PCSO Hannah Partington who works within the Babergh West Safer Neighbourhood Team, while the Cheryl Lloyd Award was handed to Detective Constable Natasha Bailey from The Learning and Development Department for her dedication, commitment and organisational skills.

Chief Constable Douglas Paxton said he was proud to have attended the ceremony highlighting the work of police staff, officers and volunteers. He added: “Their achievements show the good work that is going on across Suffolk and I am pleased to be able to show my appreciation to them in this way among fellow colleagues and family members.”