A WEST DORSET policeman has been voted one of the best in the county for community policing.

PC Scott McGregor, from Bridport's Safer Neighbourhood Team, was among award winners at the UK's first Rotary awards for community policing, organised by Rotary Dorset.

More than 30 Rotary clubs across the county nominated a police officer or PCSO from their community, and PC McGregor was nominated by the Bridport Rotary Club.

Out of the final 10 nominees, he was awarded third prize in recognition of his ongoing service to the Bridport community, and was presented with his trophy at a ceremony in Bournemouth.

Scott, who has been the Bridport town beat officer for 10 years, said of winning the award: "I was deeply honoured just to be nominated, and I am speechless that the judges thought I deserved anything more.

"Thank you Bridport Rotary, and the Bridport community."

The project is designed to raise Rotary’s profile with the police and in communities throughout Dorset.

Bridport Rotary club president Bob Jukes said: "We spoke to Insp. Mike Darby about his team, and PC McGregor was the one who came out on top.

"He seems to have been instrumental in reducing the crime rate in Bridport and has worked with organisations like Palmers Brewery, who own a lot of the pubs in the area.

"The awards are an opportunity to give the police some praise and it was a great thing that he came third because he has gotten very close to the community and seems to be well-liked."

During the awards evening entertainment was provided by the Dorset Police male voice choir and special guests included Dorset Police's crime commissioner Martyn Underhill and chief constable Debbie Simpson; the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset; and the High Sheriff of Dorset.

A raffle was also held, with proceeds going to the Police Dependants' Trust, among other charities.