People can nominate their local police officer in a competition to find Oxfordshire’s best local bobby on the beat.

Thames Valley Police has launched this year’s Community Policing Awards, which recognise staff who have built relationships in neighbourhoods and reduced crime and disorder across the county.

The awards are in their ninth year – more than 300 police officers were nominated for prizes in 2009.

The categories are for community officer of the year, police community support officer (Pcso) of the year, special constable of the year, volunteer of the year and student officer of the year.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Rowell said: “This is a chance for everyone to recognise the vital work done within neighbourhoods.

“The competition will be fierce and I look forward to selecting deserving winners.”

Nominees will be judged on the relationships they have built with local communities and the initiatives they have introduced to reduce crime and disorder.

The more nominations candidates receive, the more likely they are to be shortlisted.

PC Caroline Brown, of Bicester, is the current holder of Oxfordshire’s community officer of the year title, while Jacqueline Madden, from Thame, was named the county’s PCSO of the year, and Bill Collins, from Kidlington, volunteer of the year.

There were no Oxfordshire winners for special constable or student officer of the year.

The community officer winner will be put forward to a national competition run by Jane’s Police Review magazine. He or she could win a £3,000 bursary to travel to another country and find out about different styles of community policing.

The student officer of the year will go forward to a Police Review final and the best special constable will be put forward for the national award, the Ferrer’s Trophy.

Nominations close on Friday, April 16, with the winners announced by the middle of May.

The Community Policing Awards are sponsored by Ian and Caroline Laing.

Nomination forms are available at police stations, main libraries and parish councils or from thamesvalley.police.uk/communityawards