A WEST CUMBRIAN ‘super’ bobby has been recognised at a ceremony in Number 10 for the positive impact he has had on Maryport.

Maryport community beat officer Sam Steele was invited to Downing Street for a reception with the minister of security, Tom Tugendhat.

PC Steele was nominated by Mark Jenkinson MP to attend an event celebrating local community safety champions.

Speaking about what it was like to attend the event, PC Steele said: “It was nice to be recognised more for doing the average days police work, the day to day stuff often doesn’t get the recognition, so it was really nice to be recognised for that.

“Whether it’s the hundreds of kids you have to deal with on a daily basis that eventually pays off, and all the multi-agency work, it was really nice the be recognised for that side of policing which often goes unrecognised.”

PC Steele said it was ‘surreal’ to be in Downing Street saying that the whole experience ‘flew by’ during the reception.

Talking about the best part of his job, PC Steele said: ““It’s very nice to be out there and to be able to say to the public look we are here, we are in the communities what are the issues that you are having.?"

“You get really good feedback; I’ve never had a role in the police where you get such good feedback constantly.

"It’s this role where you are out in the community that people love.”

Sam recently received a commendation from Cumbria’s Chief Constable Rob Carden for his hard work and determination to target anti-social behaviour in Maryport which he reduced dramatically.

Speaking to the Times and Star on the impact he has had, PC Steele said: “It’s hard to believe because we are out there all the time and other issues crop up.

"It’s nice to know that things we are doing are working, whether it be stuff that I am doing or the wider organisation or society at large something is working and it’s nice to be proud of going to work.

“Policing is often a thankless job, there are so many cops who do try their hardest to get results and get what the community wants and this just another way of doing it that has got a lot of good feedback and fingers crossed it’s here to stay.”

Chief superintendent Richard Quinn said: “Sam has been extremely dedicated in his role as Community Beat Officer for Maryport.

“This dedication has seen him significantly reduce anti-social behaviour in the area, gaining national attention.

“He is a credit to the Constabulary, and we are pleased that his work has been recognised by the Home Office."

Workington MP Mark Jenkinson said: “It was a great honour to welcome PC Sam Steele to Number 10 to celebrate the positive difference he has made in Maryport.

“This is not only evidence that ‘Super Sam’ is a great community beat officer, but also shows that bobbies on the beat work to reduce crime.

“Since he has been on patrol, anti-social behaviour in the town has reduced by almost half, compared to the same period the previous year."