THE police and crime commissioner for Hampshire is seeking nominations for his annual Safer Awards.

Michael Lane’s awards recognise the outstanding contribution volunteers and partners make to policing and in keeping the community safer.

People from across the public, private and voluntary sector will be recognised for the difference they make to help the lives of others. Nominations are invited in two categories:

*Community Volunteer of the Year – a member of the public who volunteers in their local community to help to keep people safer. This can be a formal volunteer role with another organisation, or a person who volunteers on their own to help others e.g. helps an elderly neighbour each week with their garden or to keep the house up together making it safer inside and out; and

* Safer Superhero – a young person who has shown bravery, courage or kindness to keep someone safer. This can be a young person up to the age of 16 years old who has helped someone else to be safer. It could be that they care for another family member, have helped someone who has been affected by crime or have shown an act of kindness.

The commissioner will present the awards at Winchester Guildhall on December 5.

Mr Lane said: “This is the second year of my Safer Awards but I have this year introduced the new categories of Community Volunteer of the Year and Safer Superhero.

“I know that important work is undertaken by a range of people who give their time to help and support others in the local community. I would like to recognise this with my Safer Awards and to say thank you to them for all that they do to help the lives of others and help keep people safer.”

Nominations can be made online at hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/safer-awards. To request a form, e-mail [email protected]nations close at noon on November 5.