PC Ed Rogerson has been awarded the Safer Neighbourhood Officer of the Year 2008 for the Harrogate District.

He was presented with a certificate at a glittering ceremony, which was attended by senior police officials, at the Ox Pasture Hall Hotel, Scarborough.

PC Rogerson was nominated for the award by members of the community, which he said made it all the sweeter when he won it.

"I was so honoured just to be nominated and it's especially good for Starbeck. I work with a really good team and I couldn't do it without them," he said.

Since becoming Safer Neighbourhoods Community Officer for Starbeck two years ago, PC Rogerson has introduced a number of successful local initiatives to solve community problems including a Sharing Agreement between the local off licenses which has reduced the level of alcohol being sold to underage drinkers as well as having an impact on retail crime.

PC Rogerson has also worked effectively with other agencies and parents to set up a number of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts for young people with promising results.

But it is his work against graffiti vandalism in the area that has really captured the public's imagination.

In February PC Rogerson stepped up a campaign against graffiti by setting up a Facebook group – Harrogate Safer Neighbourhood Team – and posting videos on You Tube, which appealed for information.

PC Rogerson said: "Someone who viewed the sites recognised the graffiti tags and knew who was responsible and let us know. We have arrested three graffiti vandals since the start of the campaign with more to come."

The campaign led to PC Rogerson discussing the scheme on BBC Radio One and Radio Five.

He said: "I would like to say thanks to the Harrogate Advertiser for its publicity during the campaign, too."

Also rewarded for her efforts in Starbeck was PCSO Alison Gill, who won Safer Neighbourhood Police Community Support Officer of the Year for the Harrogate District.

nian.swift@ypn.co.uk