AN ASPIRIING police officer from Chard has been given an award to recognise her volunteering work

Becky Thomson, (17), was honoured with the award by the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, Sue Mountstevens, at the police headquarters in August.

Becky had volunteered 40 hours of her time a month in her community, doing activities such as handing out crime prevention leaflets and offering advice.

She hopes to be a police officer one day and finds the experience as being a volunteer police cadet very valuable. She has been a volunteer cadet since she was 14-years-old.

Becky said: “It was such a shock to find that I had been nominated for such a prestigious award. It was a real honour to be asked to attend the ceremony at Police HQ in Portishead to be presented with the award from PCC Sue Mountstevens.

"I love my work as a volunteer police cadet and thoroughly enjoy attending civic events with the mayor of Taunton Deane as one of her mayoral police cadets.

"My long-term goal would be to become a police officer and feel that the volunteering has helped to build a foundation for this role.”

Proud dad, Nat Thomson, said: “Sarah and I are very proud of Becky and all the work she has done as a volunteer police cadet."

Becky was honoured alongside two other volunteer cadets who were all individually nominated.

At the ceremony, PCC Mountstevens said: "We saw some incredible, selfless and humble silent stars, who go above and beyond to make our communities safer and stronger. The dedication and commitment of the winners, to their local community, is exemplary and I would like to thank them again for all they do.

“I feel privileged to hear such examples of how much people care about their community and I am delighted to be able to recognise these individuals publicly. Our winners should feel really proud of themselves as we are of them. I hope others will see this great work and think about taking the time to nominate an unsung hero they know for a Pride Award.”