The Lord Ferrers Awards recognise the outstanding contribution made to local policing by individuals and teams across three police volunteer roles - Special Constables, Volunteer Police Cadets and Police Support Volunteers

The five students are:

• David Mair, 29, from Glasgow, a PhD student in the Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law

• Peter D’Rozario, 20, from North Somerset, a third year Social Policy student

• Kate Hawkins, 21, from Pembrokeshire, a third year Psychology student

• Sarah Losh, 21, from Hereford, a Psychology graduate

• Gemma Maguire, 23, from Swansea, a Criminology and Psychology graduate.

 COP Project

The students were nominated for the Police Support Volunteer Team award for their part in the COP Project, an initiative set up in partnership between Discovery SVS, Swansea University and South Wales Police. The project is aimed at recruiting student volunteers to support local police officers with crime reduction campaigns.‌

One of the project operations, Op Hand resulted in walk-in thefts falling by a staggering 44%. The campaign targeted acquisitive thefts in Brynmill, Uplands and Mount Pleasant, all areas heavily populated by students.

Working alongside police officers and police community support officers from South Wales Police, the student volunteers helped to identify properties that had been left unsecured, and informed residents of the risks associated with an unlocked front door. This has not only helped alleviate pressure on neighbourhood police teams, but also aided in safeguarding the community.

 Kate Hawkins, one of student volunteers, said “To be nominated for the Lord Ferrers Award is an amazing ending to a brilliant year on the COP Project.  We have always enjoyed what we do, working alongside South Wales Police to enhance community cohesion. Whilst that has always been enough, to be recognised as having achieved something and to have made a difference really means a lot to us.”

“Volunteering with Discovery and the COP Project are amongst the highlights of my time at University, and I am so thankful to have had this opportunity to be a part of this team.”

The Swansea University finalists will be attending the Lord Ferrers Awards, sponsored by Police Mutual, in central London on Tuesday 28^th November 2017. The winners will be presented with their awards by Home Officer Ministers, senior officials and Chief Police Officers.