DEDICATED police volunteers from Dursley have won a prestigious award for being the best team of Special Constables in the South West.

Dursley has a team of 12 Special Constables, who give up their time for free to help the police in their work.

The team was competing against Specials from Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Wiltshire, Dorset, Gwent and Gloucestershire for the Arthur Ellis Memorial Trophy.

The trophy rewards Special Constables who promote better community policing and police relations in their area.

Steve Lindsay, who leads the team of Dursley Specials, said: "I am very pleased and proud of my team for winning this prestigious award, which proves that the Dursley Safer Community Team Specials work extremely hard for the community and continue to improve as a strong team."

The team carried out a total of 1,008 hours of foot patrol between April and August this year, often during unsociable hours and weekends.

They have run several operations to tackle anti-social behaviour and speeding in Dursley and surrounding areas.

One particular operation resulted in 50 youths being warned for anti-social behaviour and three males arrested for possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.

The team was also invaluable to the police during the July floods. Special Constables helped the elderly and infirm, who were stuck on the roads at night, into nearby hotels.

Inspector Steve Templeton, from Dursley police station, said: "The group of Specials at Dursley are a fantastic asset and I am constantly amazed by their dedication and professionalism.

"They are all held in very high regard by regular colleagues and police community support officers.

"They give up a tremendous amount of their free time to tackle issues of concern to local people in order to improve their quality of life and have had great successes over the past 12 months in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.

"This award is well-deserved recognition of their commitment and success."