Police officers from Cumbria Constabulary's Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) achieved recognition at the annual Neighbourhood Policing Awards.

Seven awards were handed out by Chief Superintendent Andy Wilkinson, the Neighbourhood Policing lead, to acknowledge the officers' contributions over the past year.

PCSO Rachel Pape was named Cumberland PCSO of the Year for her contribution to the Workington community.

(L) Cumberland NPT officer of the Year; (R) Westmorland & Furness NPT Officer of the Year (Image: Supplied) PCSO Pape's efforts contributed to a 29% reduction in anti-social behaviour in Workington this year.

PCSO Mark Robson was recognised as the Westmorland and Furness PCSO of the Year.

He played a role in identifying a cannabis farm in Penrith, leading to an arrest and the seizure of 950 cannabis plants.

(L) Cumberland PCSO of the year; (R) Westmorland & Furness PCSO of The Year (Image: Supplied) PC Catherine Higson was awarded Cumberland Neighbourhood Policing Officer of the Year for her commitment to providing victims of crime with support and reassurance.

Sergeant Paul Mellard took home the Westmorland and Furness Neighbourhood Policing Officer of the Year award for his work in tackling youth anti-social behaviour issues in Ulverston.

Sergeant Becky Hunter was recognised as the Neighbourhood Policing Individual Problem Solver of the Year for her work within the Bowness and Windermere Neighbourhood Policing Team.

(L) NPT Individual Problem Solver award winner; (R) NPT Leadership award winner  (Image: Supplied) She was instrumental in setting up the welfare hub in Bowness.

The South Lakes NPT was awarded Neighbourhood Policing Team of the Year for their problem-solving efforts in relation to boat and marine thefts.

They launched Operation Headway to tackle these issues and identified suspects from out of the area who were arrested last December.

Sergeant Neil McKinnell, of the Workington Neighbourhood Policing Team, won the Neighbourhood Policing Leadership Award for his leadership qualities and problem-solving solutions in complex cases.

Chief Superintendent Wilkinson said: "Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams are at the heart of what we do and they are a huge part of the day-to-day policing in Cumbria.

"These awards highlight just some of the great achievements that our teams have accomplished to address community issues, improve confidence within policing and provide our local communities with support."

David Allen, Cumbria's police, fire and crime commissioner, added: "Neighbourhood Policing is vital to keeping our communities safe.

"These officers and PCSOs know their communities like the back of their hands and have built confidence and trust in our policing services across the county's towns, villages.

"I am a big supporter of Neighbourhood Policing, quite simply it works in Cumbria.

"They are the problem solvers and the ones our residents will turn to.

"Well done to all of the winners – your dedication to your role is inspiring.

"I look forward to seeing what you do in the future."