Awards for dedicated officers

More than 20 police officers in Suffolk are being rewarded for their hard work and dedication to duty.

A special awards ceremony will be held at force headquarters in Martlesham Heath on Wednesday afternoon.

Among the 24 presentations is the prestigious Martin Smith Award for exceptional professionalism, dedication and commitment.

This year's winner is PC Julian Ditcham, who is based in Ipswich.

PC Ditcham has been described as an "exceptional officer" and a "first class ambassador" for the force.

It's quite easy to stop when you are on duty and just talk to people generally, PC Julian Ditcham

He said he was just doing his job.

He enjoys knowing people and being greeted by name on his patrol patch.

"It's quite easy to stop when you are on duty and just talk to people generally," he said.

Superintendent Carl Puiy and Inspector Barbara Thompson are being awarded for their work policing England's football match against Croatia last month.

Detective Constable Karl-Anthony Storey has been awarded a Crown Court Commendation for the way he put together a case involving a knife assault in Lowestoft.

Dog handler PC Neil Smith will receive a Chief Constable's Commendation and a Royal Human Society Award for helping to save a woman who fell into the wet dock near Stoke Bridge in Ipswich in December.