A woman won Police Community Support Officer of the Year at an awards ceremony.

PCSO Sarah Lowe, of Wandle Valley Safer Neighbourhoods Team won the award on Tuesday, February 28, at the Met Police Commissioner’s Excellence in Total Policing Awards.

PCSO Lowe impressed senior officers by recognising dozens of wanted suspects after researching them and identifying locations where they were likely to be found.

One suspect she spotted who was subsequently arrested, was wanted for GBH with a hammer in Croydon.

She is also well respected for her commitment to dealing with issues in the local community including work with licensed premises.

Her work has virtually eliminated street drinkers around Middleton Circle and London Road, Hackbridge.

She said: “I’m thrilled to win an award for a job a really love doing.”

Police Cadet Grant Fulker, 18, also won Cadet of the Year at the ceremony.

He was recognised for his work supporting junior school Police Academies which teach children after school about the work of police officers.

Mr Fulker began by taking just one of the weekly drill sessions however, he now plans and delivers the entire programme.

He has also gained ‘O2 Think Big Project’ funding for police academies in Sutton.

He said: "I feel so honoured to get this award.

"It makes me feel so proud of all the work I do as a cadet.

"The feedback has been outstanding, with parents saying it has completely changed the way their children behave."

The Mayor, Boris Johnson, attended the Awards event in Westminster along with family, friends and colleagues of the nominees.