A night of celebration as PCC’s Awards recognise those committed to keeping communities safe

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, has held her annual Awards ceremony to recognise and celebrate the dedication of volunteers, partners, community groups, and policing.

The glittering ceremony took place in Winchester on Friday 7 March 2025. It is the fourth Awards event the Police Commissioner has held in recognition of those who help make communities and safer and have improved the lives of others.

A number of guest presenters joined the PCC to present the awards, including Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Chief Constable Scott Chilton, High Sheriff Jonathan Whitaker, Deputy Lieutenant Amelia Riviere, National Farmers Union Combinable Crops Chair Matt Culley, Chief Executive of the Association of Convenience Stores James Lowman, and the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Terry Norton.

PCC Donna Jones said: “These awards shine a spotlight on the dedication, passion, and selflessness of those who go above and beyond to keep our communities safe.

“This isn’t just about individual achievements, it’s about recognising the collective effort that makes Hampshire and the Isle of Wight stronger. Every day, in tough and often demanding circumstances, these individuals protect the vulnerable, deliver justice, and make our communities better places to live.

“To every winner and nominee – thank you. Your commitment to public service doesn’t go unnoticed. You are valued, not just by me, but by your colleagues, your leaders, and most importantly, by the people you serve.”

The winners of this year’s Awards are:

Local Bobby of the Year – PC Josh Metcalfe
PC Metcalfe gives his time to the Saints Foundation to help young people in Southampton make the righter choices to secure brighter futures.

Police Staff of the Year – PCSO Stephen Hull
Stephen Hull is a dedicated PCSO on the Isle of Wight and a committed member of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller group in the Constabulary.

Business Crime Prevention Awards – CI Marcus Cator
Chief Inspector Cator is dedicated to tackling shoplifting and business crime, going above and beyond as a police officer and leader to support the business community.

Commissioned Service of the Year – Jo Topley at Yellow Door
Jo has volunteered as a trainee counsellor with Yellow Door since October 2023 and is dedicated to providing a safe space for adults who have experienced sexual abuse.

Police Animal of the Year – Wilf
12 year old Wilf is a trusty and reliable member of the Mounted Rural Patrol volunteer team. He is one of their top horses and completed 185 hours across 139 outings between April and December last year.

Rural Crime Fighter of the Year – PC Matthew Thelwell
PC Thelwell has shown outstanding dedication to tackling rural crime. He has been on the County Watch team for just six years and has become a vital asset in the New Forest area.

Safer Roads Award – Malcolm Smith
Malcolm’s commitment to road safety sapns nearly 50 years of service as an officer and latterly as a member of police staff.

Serious Violence Prevention Award – the Southampton Youth Justice Team
Hannah Lothian, Leon Smith and Chiara Wall designed and delivered a new construction course for young men involved in the criminal justice system.

Police Volunteer of the Year – the Human Animal Dispatch Team
These volunteers are on call 24/7 365 days a year supporting the police. Last year, they were deployed 160 times.

Special Constable of the Year – SC Mark Harker
Mark brings a level of maturity and professionalism to policing on the Isle of Wight. In July, he attended a suicide attempt successfully gaining the male’s trust.

Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour Award – the Operation Nautical Team
This team proactively reduced anti-social behaviour and crime on Southsea seafront.

Working in Partnership Award – Colin Pollard

Colin revitalised Portsmouth’s Pubwatch scheme, partnering with night-time economy businesses to create a safer environment.

Student Officer of the Year – PC Dawid Wierzbicki

PC Wierzbicki exemplifies dedication, resilience, and professionalism.

Supporting Victims of Crime Award – Aliza Gurung and Arati Thapa

Aliza and Arati work on the Rushmoor Citizens Advice Nepali Domestic Abuse Project.

Youth Volunteer of the Year – Hayden Phillips
Hayden is Chair of the Youth Independent Advisory Group and is dedication to the cause is exceptional.

Independent Custody Visitor of the Year – Saskia Taylor
Saskia has been an ICV for three years and for the last two has been the Panel Co-ordinator.

Youth Engagement Award in memory of James Bowman – Amy Essex

Amy is a Senior Youth Worker at Motiv8 who excels at engaging and reaching young people in Gosport.

Community Volunteer of the Year Award – Tracy Emm & Kathi Iason
Tracy and Kathi are the founders of Millbrook Matters and they work tirelessly to make their community safer.

Images from this year’s Awards can be viewed on the PCC’s website at Police and Crime Commissioner Awards – Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner

If you missed the show, you can watch it again on the OPCC Facebook page.