Officers across the borough have been nominated for a prestigious police award.

For the first time the Met Excellence Award, honouring detectives, officers, police staff and volunteers, has opened a public vote to decide on the winner.

Burnt Oak SNT and Special Police Sergeant Shane Clarke are both nominated for the public vote, which closes on February 16 before the awards ceremony on March 9.

SPS Clarke volunteers 48 hours a week on top of working full time, and manages the development of the borough's special constables, training new recruits.

He said: "It really is an honour to have been nominated as Special of the Year. I feel so privileged as one of many specials who contribute to London and as a Barnet resident it is a huge privilege to be able to give my time to serve my community and help my full time police colleagues in keeping London safe.

"I would really recommend to anyone thinking of being a special officer to apply as it can be highly rewarding and gives a great insight into the role of being a police officer.

"I must also take this opportunity to thanks my fellow specials as we are a great team and also to my full time colleagues who have taken the time to help assist me and my team over the past few years."

He has also organised joint operations and an initiative to deploy special officers to work with different teams, including CID and the Wanted Offenders Unit.

Borough Commander Simon Rose said: "Shane is a local legend within Barnet Police for his commitment and enthusiasm for the MSC. His contribution in terms of hours, leadership and mentoring and developing new special constables is exceptional.

"I could not think of a more worthy winner of this award."

The nominee for Safer Neighbours Team of the Year, the Burnt Oak team, has been working in a year-long initiative to combat the rise in antisocial behaviour in the community, which has been reduced by 52 per cent as a result.

The team tackled the issue by arranging for special lighting in areas were drug use had been identified, stopping access into areas known for substance related violence, targeting flytippers and illegal street traders and removing litter caused by street drinkers.

Mr Rose added: "Burnt Oak is one of our more challenging areas and the team, working with the local authority, have worked exceptionally hard at addressing the short term issues as well as working towards longer term plans."

The Met Commissioner, Cressida Dick, said: "It’s wonderful to see so many people nominating their colleagues and showcasing the great work that’s done every day in the Met.

"I’m really looking forward to my first Met Excellence Awards as Commissioner. It should be a fantastic celebration of the best of the Met and the people that make it happen."

To vote and find out more about the nominees, visit www.met.police.uk/met-excellence-awards-2018