TWO hard-working St Albans police officers have won a place in the county finals of this year s Safer Neighbourhood Awards. PC Andrew Yuill and PCSO Iftakar Iqbal were chosen by a panel of judges earlier this month to represent St Albans at the county fi

TWO hard-working St Albans police officers have won a place in the county finals of this year's Safer Neighbourhood Awards.

PC Andrew Yuill and PCSO Iftakar Iqbal were chosen by a panel of judges earlier this month to represent St Albans at the county final of the awards on June 23.

Andrew, who is up for Neighbourhood Police Officer of the Year, has worked in Wheathampstead for over three years and his achievements include helping to tackle alcohol-related disorder by forming PubWatch in 2007.

New Mayor of St Albans Cllr Chris Oxley, who represents Wheathampstead, said that he was glad to see Andrew's work recognised and added: "His firm determination and ability to be in the right place at the right time is a great credit to him."

Iftakar, a nominee for the Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) of the Year Award, has worked in the city centre for over two years and is known for his knowledge of local criminals, in particular shoplifters.

Linda Hanson, Business Crime Manager for St Albans Business Against Crime, commended Iftakar's professionalism and added: "On hearing that a crime is in progress, he's always the first person to respond and the first to arrive, regardless of his location!"

St Albans resident Barry Welch is also a Safer Neighbourhood Awards nominee, - his dedication to the Neighbourhood Watch scheme in Redbourn leading to his nomination for the Community Safety Award.

As well as putting forward new Neighbourhood Watch signs around the village and launching a campaign to keep Redbourn's PCSO in touch with the villagers, Barry is also Chairman of the Redbourn Care Group which looks after the village's vulnerable and elderly residents.