TWO police officers have been given awards and been praised for ‘going the extra mile’ after they helped re-unite a father with his son.

Aaron O’Roarty and Dave Clark found a man disorientated and miles away from home in Durham City where they work as response officers.

He had slept rough for three days after he missed his train stop at Leeds and was stranded in the city with no money or food.

Local hotel staff raised concerns for the man, a recovering alcoholic, and the PCs took him to hospital.

Following treatment, officers contacted his family and then transported him to the station where they negotiated free train travel.

The PCs ensured he boarded the train and staff provided him with food and drinks.

PC O’Roarty stayed on duty to confirm with the man’s father that he had collected his son safely.

The father later got in touch to thank officers for their “due diligence, care and attention”.

The officers won the award for ‘Customer Experience Team of the Year’ at the recent WOW! awards in London.

PC O’Roarty said: “It was an absolute honour to receive this award and for our force to be recognised.

“Although I had the privilege to be presented with it, it’s one example out of hundreds happening week in week out.

“It’s very much for every member of Durham Constabulary whether it be police staff, police officers, PCSOs, special constables or volunteers who go the extra mile every day to deliver the Durham difference.”

PCSO Lisa Hall was nominated for an ‘Inspirational Individual’ award following her work around autism within the force.

Darlington PCSO Christopher Jung took the top spot in the ‘WOW! You’ve Changed My Life’ category after he helped a grieving brother secure a gardening plot to pursue his passion for all things horticultural.

This gesture had helped the youngster deal with his sister’s death.

PC Claire McNaney from the Harm Reduction Unit was also nominated in the same category after she helped a reformed addict become an educator who shares his experiences with police officers and students across the country.

George Charlton, who now works alongside PC McNaney to deliver drug and alcohol training, said: “From the second I met Claire, she made me feel not like an addict but an equal.

“She listened to my story with real interest, showed respect and compassion for the journey I had been on and made me feel like I was in the company of someone who genuinely cared.”