A POLICE worker who “goes out of her way” to help York businesses protect themselves against crime and in supporting victims has been nominated for an award.

PCSO Kathryn Bean is nominated as the Public Sector Hero in the Community Pride Awards for her work to improve the security of 19 businesses as part of her work with the Business Crime Reduction Centre.

She has been given glowing references from those she works with praising her enthusiasm and advice.

Ian Rose, of Tele-Products Ltd, said: “We can’t thank her enough for the advice given.” Wayne Scott, of Polar Speed Distribution, said she was a “great example to the police”.

Kathryn, who works in Fishergate with the Safer Neighbourhood Team half of the time, has also supported victims of a series of barn and haystack fires in the York area, by joining forces with CID and the local Safer Neighbourhood Teams where ever the offences occurred.

Her nomination reads: “Despite the daily pressures of carrying two distinct roles, Kathryn has offered her skills beyond the scope of the project, recently engaging with a local farm.

“Working with Yorkshire Housing, she facilitated a range of technical security measures that have turned their security around.”

Meanwhile, three people who devote their time to making sure their neighbourhood is well looked after have been nominated in the Volunteer Of The Year category.

Peter and Jane Nacey, of Barley View, in Wigginton, have dedicated time to gardening, clearing paths and litter picking in Wigginton.

In nomination, David Mossman said: “The large areas which they look after really enhance the neighbourhood and draw comments of admiration from people who notice all the work which Peter and Jane undertake regularly.”

Michael Cantle has been nominated in the same category for spending the last two years working to keep Woodthorpe well looked after.

Nominating Mr Cantle, Coun Gerard Hodgson said he “maintains the drainage ditches and cleared away undergrowth in the area between Alness Drive and Acomb Wood. He does this entirely at his own expense and without reward or recognition.”

The Community Pride Awards are run in partnership with City of York Council and are sponsored by Benenden Health.