PEOPLE who give up their time to help out Bexley police, have won an award for their hard work.

Bexley had the second highest amount of volunteer work in the whole of the Met. Police area last year, contributing 7,963 hours.

This was beaten only by Hillingdon, where more than 10,000 hours were contributed.

But Bexley police’s volunteer manager, Adrian Smith, pointed out that Hillingdon has more offices and has two full-time volunteer managers.

Volunteer representatives from Bexley, Hillingdon and Bromley police divisions were invited to London’s City Hall by the Met. Police Authority and London Assembly, to receive their awards.

Bexley was represented by Ian Hadley, one of Bexley’s original volunteers who joined the scheme when it was launched in 2001.

Mr Hadley, described by Mr Smith as “reliable and cheerful and loves doing role play for police training”, still helps keep Bexley police’s general stores in order.

Bexley currently has 80 volunteers on its books, with 40 appointments still outstanding.

The youngest is 19 and the oldest 82, and they do a variety of jobs from staffing the front counters at Belvedere, Bexleyheath and Sidcup police stations to helping out in the finance department.

To volunteer, call Mr Smith on 020 8284 9253.