TWO Winterbourne teenagers have won a police award for their courage in helping a victim of violence.
Avon & Somerset police said Laila Purdy-Hill and Maisie Osbourne helped a young man being assaulted violently at a recreation ground in Winterbourne in March this year.
A spokesperson said: “They went to his aid, collected his dog and helped him home.
“Due to Laila and Maisie’s courageous actions, which involved standing up to their peers, the perpetrator was prosecuted.”
Their actions saw Laila and Maisie win the ‘courageous’ category of the first ever Children and Young People Policing Awards, run by the police.
They were among 11 children and young people from across the Avon and Somerset police area invited to Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier on July 3 to recognise their “significant community contribution”.
‘Upstanders, not bystanders’
A police spokesperson said: “Laila and Maisie demonstrated the importance of being upstanders and not bystanders.”
They were given their award by charity Crimestoppers’ regional manager in the West Country, Karen MacDonald (pictured above, left, with Laila and Masie).
The afternoon event saw police officers and PCSOs, parents, carers and representatives from councils and charities come together to celebrate “the altruistic actions of some of the youngest members of our communities”.
Organised by the force’s youth project and engagement coordinators, the awards aimed to promote four key values of caring, courage, inclusivity and learning shown in hard work, kind deeds and public-spiritedness of young people, with each award category having two or three nominees.
Humbled
Police lead for children and young people Detective Chief Inspector Larisa Hunt said: “It’s heart-warming to hear the amazing work our young community members have been doing, and to be able to thank and reward them.
“Being a caring, courageous and inclusive person, and somebody willing to learn and adapt, is what we strive for every day at Avon and Somerset Police, from the Senior Leadership Team to police officers and police staff.
“We’re humbled and inspired by the award nominees who are already reflecting these values in their actions and behaviour.”
The force hopes to make the awards an annual event.