Pictured at the South Wales Police awards: from left, PC Richard Paskell, Penny Brockman, Nick McAllister, Calum Stewart, PC Ceri Richards
Three mountain rescue organisations have been recognised for their work by the police.
Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team, Western Beacons Mountain Search and Rescue Team and the Search and Rescue Dog Association received a special recognition award from South Wales Police chief constable Peter Vaughan.
The teams were given the award for their work within the South Wales Police force area.
Nick McAllister, team leader of Western Beacons MSART said: “We are honoured to receive this recognition for the joint work we do with South Wales Police.
“All our team members give their time freely, when the call comes for assistance to search or rescue members of our communities.
“To have our efforts appreciated in this way gives everyone involved in the team a boost, and strengthens their sense of pride as members of the volunteer emergency services.”
Penny Brockman, team leader of Central Beacons MRT said: “We are humbled and honoured to receive this special recognition award from South Wales Police.
“We are one of the longest-serving partner organisations who work with South Wales Police and have undertaken hundreds of responses to incidents in the force area.
“Central Beacons MRT was formed by a serving police sergeant in Merthyr Tydfil in 1963 and this year celebrates its 50th year anniversary.
“This is a fitting tribute to all the hard work that has been undertaken by the volunteer members over the years.
“We have seen mountain rescue over the years evolve to become a more sophisticated organisation performing a wider range of search and rescue activities than just simply mountain rescue, in supporting the communities of south Wales including priority missing persons, snow emergencies and aircraft crashes.”
Chief Constable Peter Vaughan said: “I am immensely proud to lead a police force that makes a real difference to the communities it serves, and I feel privileged to work alongside such dedicated colleagues.
“This recognition is richly deserved and I send all winners and finalists my warmest congratulations.”
The three teams carry out searches and rescue injured people in rural and mountainous areas across south, west and mid-Wales.
