They put themselves in harm's way to help keep us and our communities safe and now police officers and staff have been recognised as part of this year's Norfolk Safer Community Awards (NOSCAs), as PETER WALSH reports.

Five policemen who forced their way into a burning building to save a man from a heavily smoke-logged flat and an officer who came to the aid of a woman on a bridge are among those whose bravery has been recognised at an annual awards.

Now in its ninth year, the NOSCAs, which celebrate outstanding contributions made by police officers, PCSOs, police staff and members of the community, was held on Thursday night at Holiday Inn, Norwich North, near Norwich Airport.

The evening, compered by EDP columnist and BBC Radio Norfolk presenter Nick Conrad, included a number of special guests, including Sir William Cubitt, High Sheriff of Norfolk, Marion Maxwell, the Lord Mayor of Norwich, Lorne Green, the county's police and crime commissioner, and the sister of murdered Norfolk student Hannah Witheridge.

Laura Witheridge was at the ceremony to help present the first Hannah Witheridge Special Recognition Award – named in honour of the 23-year-old who was killed in Thailand in 2014 – to highlight the crucial work carried out by police family liaison officers.

Simon Bailey, Norfolk's chief constable, said the awards provided an opportunity to celebrate 'some of the constabulary's and county's finest'.

Speaking about the evening, Mr Bailey said: 'The NOSCAs provide us with the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the exceptional work and contributions of many of our officers, staff and residents.

'The event highlights examples of dedication and praise for our officers, staff and community partners for their efforts. It must be remembered that while our employees are expected to make this important work a priority, local members of the community give their time voluntarily to help keep Norfolk a wonderful and safe place to live, work and visit.'

Among the awards handed out on the evening were two bravery awards.

PC Martin Clarke, PC Richard Doughty, now retired, PC Norman Lambert, former PC Robert McNaughter and PC Oliver Farrow received one of two bravery awards from Mr Bailey after their actions, despite the risk to their own safety, helped save the life of a man in Norwich.

During the early morning in March 2015, the officers attended a report of a male in distress throwing bottles from his window in Parmentergate Court, Norwich. They were confronted with a man inside the address refusing to open his door while there was a fire inside.

They assessed the potential impact of the fire spreading and immediately started to evacuate neighbours at risk and despite being told to wait for the fire service the officers, seeing the intensity of the smoke inside the address and the obvious risk to the occupant's life, forced entry and rescued the man.

Mr Bailey said the officers' collective actions 'undoubtedly' saved the life of the man.

A second chief constable's bravery award was given to PC Joseph Jermy who was one of two officers in Dereham who discovered a young woman in crisis standing on the wrong side of a barrier on a flyover.

As the officers approached the female, her condition started to deteriorate and she appeared to be suffering a fit, wavering between states of consciousness and losing her grip on the barrier.

PC Jermy climbed over onto the same side as the female and secured her against the barrier while she was unwell and likely to fall. He spent more than 20 minutes with her while she continued to fit and until other emergency services arrived on scene.

Mr Bailey said: 'The officer receiving this award exemplifies the selfless acts that police officers put themselves in every day in order to protect the public.'

The first recipient of the Hannah Witheridge Special Recognition Award was PC David Reed, a familiy liaison officer within the roads policing and firearms operations unit, who has supported numerous families who have suffered traumatic events since his initial training in 2014.

The other winners are as follows:

Student Officer of the Year

Winner: PC Ben Rix

Runner Up: PC Harry Button

The John (Cecil) Mason Volunteer of the Year

Winner: Ann Bartlett

Runner Up: Sally Mack

Special Constabulary Officer of the Year

Winner: Special Sergeant Owen Chambers

Runner Up: Special Constable Danielle Holford

Police Cadet of the Year

Winner: Police Cadet Sharla Davies

Runner Up: Police Cadet Amy Webber

Runner Up: Police Cadet Brayden Weibel-Seckley

Police Staff Member of the Year

Winner: Julie Inns

Runner Up: James Spaans

Young Citizen(s) of the Year

Winner: Susan Hart

Runner Up: Sprowston Youth Engagement Project

Investigator of the Year

Winner: Detective Constable Tristan Coull

Runner Up: Detective Constable Holly Beevis

Problem Solver of the Year

Winner: Diss SNT – Op Roundhouse team

Runner Up: PC Ashley Grant

Outstanding Leadership Award

Winner: Superintendent Dennis Lacey

Runner Up: Detective Chief Inspector Andy Coller

Community Citizen(s) of the Year

Winner: Simon Elliott

Runner Up: Sophie Bates & colleagues, Freebridge Community Housing

The Chief Constable's Special Recognition Award: PC Andrew Nattrass

Community Officer of the Year – Police Officer

Winner: PC Joseph Jermy

Runner Up: PC Andy Dye

Community Officer of the Year – PCSO

Winner: PCSO Sarah McCue

Runner Up: PCSO Nicola Biggs

Police Dog of the Year

Winner: PC James Wells & PD Shuck

Runner Up: PC Chris Squirell & PD Daley

Runner Up: PC John Harwood & PD Bronx

Runner Up: PC Martin Didwell & PD Rhino

Outstanding Team of the Year

Winner: Op Moonshot Team

Runner Up: Digital Forensics Unit

Safer Neighbourhood Team of the Year

Winner: Wymondham SNT

Runner Up: Norwich Safer Neighbourhood Action Team (SNAT)