GWENT Police officers, staff and members of the public who have undertaken especially praiseworthy acts have been commended at a special ceremony tonight.

The annual Gwent Police Awards recognised officers and members of the public who serve their community and support the force.

Dan Biddle, from Abergavenny, who was severely injured in the London terror attacks in 2005, won the Gwent Good Citizen Award.

He has given advice to Gwent Police’s Independent Advisory Group and contributed to Hate Crime Awareness Week campaigns.

PCs Dean Nocivelli and Richard Oakerbee were recognised for saving the life of a woman who fell into the River Usk in Newport last November. They pulled her out and kept her safe until firefighters were able to take her away from the water. She has since recovered.

A police officer who arrested a now-convicted killer, Timothy Jackson, was also commended. Putting other people’s safety above his own, PC Phillip Williams arrested Jackson in Usk after he murdered his stepmother Anne Jackson. The killer must spend at least 19 years in prison.

DS Ian Tucker and PC Paul Rees were praised for their conduct after they arrived at Ystrad Mynach Police Station after a man had shot himself dead last October.

CSOs Linzi Nicholls and Joanne Robins were thanked for what they did in Brynmawr in September, helping a person who was choking as they were on patrol.

They dislodged a blockage and helped to prevent any further serious consequences.

There was a special award for the team that dealt with the case of five-week-old baby Amelia Jones, who was murdered by her grandfather Mark Jones.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment last April.

Similarly, the officers who secured 81 prosecutions as part of the extensive Operation Dino, which uncovered £760,000 of fraudulent crash claims, were also praised.

Gwent Police cadet junior leader in Newport and Abergavenny Dan Cooke won the Volunteer of the Year prize and PC Angela Jones was given the Leadership Award for her role in leading the force’s New Cadet Scheme.

Others noted were Cadet of the Year Adam Ali; the winner of the Working in Partnership Award, CSO Stephen Metcalfe-Davies, for helping Malpas residents having problems with off-road bikes; and special constables Paul Evans, Jordan Williams, Ryan Lewis and Huw Orphan. They have been part of Newport’s Special Constabulary Tasking Team over the last year.

There were two winners of the Service Quality Award: CSO Andy Jones was given the prize for 11 years’ commitment to rural areas around Chepstow, and Jeff Mapps for his contribution to Gwent Police and as chairman of the Gwent Police Federation.

Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner Ian Johnston said: “Whether it is officers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty or members of the public who are willing to step up to help others in need, it’s important that we recognise the bravery and commitment of these special people who serve their community so well.

“I have been humbled by the ‘can do’ attitude of all of the recipients and I would like to congratulate them on their awards.”