THEY constantly go the extra mile to make York a safer place to live – and now they have been voted the city’s top police officers.

Sergeant Andy Haigh, of the South East and Rural West Safer Neighbourhood Team, has been crowned Police Officer Of The Year, while Police Community Support Officer Keith Hall, of Micklegate Safer Neighbourhood Team, has won the title PCSO Of The Year.

The awards follow North Yorkshire Police Authority’s invitation to York residents to vote for who they felt deserved to be named the best officer in the city. Sgt Haigh, 34, who serves the wards of Fishergate, Fulford, Bishopthorpe, Wheldrake, Rural West and Heslington, said he felt extremely proud.

“It’s great that my hard work and all the extra hours I’ve put in have been recognised,” he said. “But it’s not just me that works hard, it’s my whole team – and I couldn’t do it without them.”

Sgt Haigh, a former pupil of Joseph Rowntree School, joined the force 13 years ago, initially working as a police constable in Tang Hall.

He said: “I care passionately about what I do and if there’s an issue that needs resolving I always want to get it sorted as soon as possible. I find it very rewarding to see crime and antisocial behaviour fall as a result of our work because I know it’s making a difference to other people’s lives.”

Since joining North Yorkshire Police four years ago, PCSO Hall has worked tirelessly to bring down youth crime by engaging with young people.

The 52-year-old set up the city’s Pop Idol-style contest, Community Idol, to help keep youngsters out of trouble during the summer holidays and has also helped raise thousands of pounds for good causes.