A "model" officer who has worked tirelessly with young gang members has been commended by the Borough Commander.

PC Dale Guildea began work on the Underhill ward in June 2016 and was tasked with tackling antisocial behaviour and working with gangs in the Dollis Valley estate, made all the more challenging as he was a new constable at the time.

Despite suffering an injury which confined him to the office for the first few months of his arriving on the borough, PC Guildea built relationships with those living in the area and started a Twitter account to engage with young people and show the good works of the police.

PC Guildea said: "I have always wanted to be a police officer and I have always lived in Barnet and was a cadet when I was younger."

Times Series: DCI Owain Richards giving PC Guildea his commendationDCI Owain Richards giving PC Guildea his commendation

He studied criminology at university before joining other officers on the Police Now graduate scheme, which brought him to the Underhill ward.

Borough Commander Simon Rose commented that PC Guildea could be "a future borough commander" as he gave him his Probationer of the Year award, which was his second commendation of the day.

Detective Inspector Jack Rowlands, who leads the trident gang unit and had worked with PC Guildea, said: "I have seen first hand Dale's commitment and understanding in preventing serious youth violence on Barnet.

"He is a model dedicated ward officer and has embedded an array of effective tactics in making his ward safer.

"He has gone above and beyond for a constable of his service and is a credit to Police Now and the Metropolitan Police Service."

One example of his work bringing change to the area was when he received intelligence from a family member of a known gang member, which, within 24 hours, led to the arrest of the gang member who was remanded for driving offences and assault on police.

Times Series: PC Guildea and deputy mayor Cllr Val DuschinskyPC Guildea and deputy mayor Cllr Val Duschinsky

PC Guildea has worked with a number of partners in the area, including Barnet General Hospital, Barnet and Southgate College, to help safeguard the people of Barnet and build confidence with gang members and their families, as well as effectively seeing the ejection of a group of squatters in the neighbourhood.

PC Jack Smith, who was also commended for his work detaining a violent man in a store in Barnet, said of PC Guildea: "He is a very committed officer, thrown in the deep end with a difficult post."

On receiving the commendation and award, PC Guildea said: "It means so much to me, my uncle is here and he was in the police and was a big inspiration for me."

The Probationer of the Year Award is given annually in honour of Neil Coades, an officer who died aged 22 in a car accident in 2004.

Neil's parents, Gary and Anne, were present to see PC Guildea receive the award.