DURHAM Constabulary Deputy Chief Constable Jo Farrell praised officers and members of staff for going the extra mile during an awards ceremony to honour their work.

Dep Chief Con Farrell presented Wow Awards at the force’s headquarters to those nominated by members of the public and colleagues for making a positive difference to other people’s lives.

Among those nominated was PC Andrea Wearmouth, of Peterlee CID, for her work in helping to secure the conviction of a Stanley man, who was jailed for 32 years in January for sexually abusing children.

Her nomination said “…she is an outstanding woman who has just supported me through one of the worst years of my life. I don’t think I would have been able to see the case through if it had not been for her; she has put so much work into my case and was always there is I needed her.”

Awards were handed out to more than 20 officers and staff. Among those was PCSO Lauren Field for helping an elderly woman who needed hospital treatment after falling in the street one evening.

The woman had been on her way to ask a friend for help with a smoke alarm so after a visit to urgent care, PCSO Field took her home and promptly put up the alarm up.

Another PCSO, Marc Hay was nominated by a member of the community in Darlington for the work he has been doing in tackling speeding and traffic issues in parts of Darlington. He helped with providing speed monitoring equipment and attending residents meetings, one of which was on his day off.

PCs Brendan Jackson and Beth Holmes were recognised for going the extra mile after a woman called for help when she became concerned for the welfare of her father.

Their nomination said: “Not only did Brendan and Beth get me into the house, the demonstrated huge compassion and also replaced the lock they’d drilled out.”

Dep Chief Con Farrell said: “On one hand we have the case of a man getting 32 years in prison because of the work we have done and a lady praising the invaluable support we have given.

“Equally we have a lady who has locked herself out and needs access urgently to check on the welfare of her dad. I am fairly confident that other places would say they don’t respond to these types of situations but that is not us. That is the Durham Difference. It is not just the empathy that we show. When people ring here they know we will go that extra mile and give them the care they need."