Essex Police volunteer recognised for ‘fantastic contribution to volunteering in policing’

Awarded annually, the Lord Ferrers Awards recognise outstanding contributions to volunteering in policing and are open to policing volunteers across 11 individual and team categories. The awards highlight the vital role volunteers play in policing through giving up their free time to make communities safer and enhancing the effectiveness of policing across England and Wales.

Tony Ellis, a retired Crime Reduction Officer, volunteers his time running an online problem solvers forum which is available to police officers and staff across the UK. Tony regularly receives requests for assistance from officers and staff with regard to a particular problem they are grappling with and, using the forum Tony seeks assistance to suggest solutions and good practice. These are then fed back into the enquiring party as well as the wider Forum.

The service is extremely valuable to policing across the UK, having been running for 11 years during which time experts in the field of crime prevention have exchanged over 7,000 pieces of information to support each other. Tony continued that support throughout the pandemic.

Guy Ferguson, CEO of Police and Crime Prevention Initiatives, said: “Tony is an unsung hero and I am delighted that his outstanding work and commitment to problem solving and crime prevention has been recognised and celebrated. He should be very proud being recognised in this way”.

Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington says: “For Tony Ellis to be shortlisted for his valuable work co-ordinating a nationwide police problem-solvers forum is a wonderful acknowledgement of his continuing commitment to policing and crime prevention”.

Tony Ellis said: “It amazes me how busy crime prevention exponents from throughout Great Britain consistently give up their time and expertise to assist one another through Problem Solvers.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel, who presented the 2021 Lord Ferrers awards, said: “It is heartening to see these volunteers joining our brave police officers working tirelessly to cut crime and protect the public during an unprecedented time. Their selfless work putting the most vulnerable people in their neighborhoods first and caring for their communities represents the very best in the British public”.

Policing Minister Kit Malthouse, said: “Volunteers are treasured members of the policing family and I have nothing but the highest regard for people who give up their free time to help keep their neighbours safe. I would like to thank each and every one and encourage them to continue to play that vital role in society.”