A COMMUNITY policeman who set up a residents' crime prevention scheme has been recognised for work in the town.

PC Denis Taylor was among a group of officers from the town who were handed accolades by the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire at a special awards ceremony at Wiltshire Constabulary headquarters, Devizes.

He was awarded the Wiltshire Police Authority Trophy for his commitment to the community, in particular his efforts to improve the quality of life for Swindon people.

The ceremony heard that PC Taylor had dedicated himself to solving local problems in partner-ship with the community and was instrumental in setting up the Broadgreen Neighbourhood Safety Team.

After serving with distinction in CID at Swindon, PC Taylor became a community beat officer in Swindon in 1997.

He quickly established himself as a highly committed beat officer, working in the residential areas adjacent to Swindon town centre.

Police spokesman Alvina Kumar said: "He has worked tirelessly to help resolve problems such as street prostitution, under-age and on-street drinking."

He was given the award for his outstanding achievements in the local community, and his work has been outstanding in helping to improve the quality of life of local residents in his area of Swindon."

Police long service and good conduct medals were presented to Sgt Graham Devine, Insp Bob Markham, Sgt Paul Mundy and PC George Wheeler.

Sgt Devine joined the police in April 1979.

He was posted to section duties at Swindon on joining and remained with the Swindon Division until his promotion to sergeant and transfer to Chippenham in September 1987.

Following duty in Calne, Corsham, Malmesbury and Chippenham he returned to Swindon as section sergeant in July 1999 and in February 2001 he was seconded to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) working in Bosnia until returning to section sergeant in February 2002.

Insp Bob Markham joined the police in 1979 and served at Warminster, Tidworth, and South Swindon before moving to Support Services in Swindon.

On promotion to inspector in October 1994 he joined the Com-puter Department, where he remained until returning to section duties in Swindon.

He transferred to his current role, Community Beat Inspector, in April 2000.

Sgt Paul Mundy joined up in March 1979 when he undertook section duties at Swindon until his posting to Task Force in October 1985. In November 1998 he received a Chief Constable's Commendation for his part in the Zoe Evans murder investigation, and in January 1987 he received a Chief Constable's Commendation for his actions in persuading a man to hand over weapons.

PC George Wheeler joined in 1979 when he was posted to section duties at Swindon until his transfer to traffic in July 1984.

He returned to general police duties in September 1979 where he remained until his present role as a traffic PC at Westlea.

In February 1994 he received a Chief Constable's Commendation for disarming a man.

The Chief Constable of Wiltshire, Elizabeth Neville, presented a Support Staff Certificate and gift vouchers to Ann Toombs, who is stationed at Wootton Bassett.