A police officer who has been striving to make a neighbourhood a less fearful place to live, is in line to win a top accolade.

Paul Wharton's work in Knowle Park, Keighley - once labelled a "no-go" area - could win him a community police officer of the year award.

The Jane's Police Review prize comes with £3,000 to enable him to study community policing in another country.

Among the initiatives he has progressed are school gate surgeries, initially instigated by Bradford Councillor Lynne Joyce.

And he has developed a reputation for being on hand to hear problems and concerns from all members of the community which has been blighted by drug and anti-social behaviour.

PC Wharton took up the neighbourhood policing role after finishing his probationary period.

Coun Joyce said: "The school gate surgeries have been very good because it's where we can reach women who have been willing to give information about anti-social behaviour in a relaxed situation.

"Paul has always been most diligent at following these things up. He fully deserves this nomination."

Holycroft School head teacher Andrew Neal said: "He is always responsive to our needs and is involved in day-to-day issues and also in developing strategies to further improve the community.

Abdul Motin, of the Bangladeshi Community Association, said he was pleased PC Wharton had been recognised for his work. He said: "We should be looking to bring pride back into the community and ways to do that are to clean-up litter, preserve trees and show concern for the elderly. It is about making people feel they have ownership of their environment."

Insp Mark Allsop, from Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "PC Wharton is a quietly spoken individual who has developed a reputation for listening to the needs of the community, showing consideration and respect for their feelings and opinions."

e-mail: clive.white@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

Third generation

PC Wharton will join all the other nominees at the wards ceremony in London on November 23, including his retired colleague Joseph Wilson, right, who worked in Keighley and is up for the lifetime achievement prize.

He is the third generation of a long serving police family, following his father and grandfather into the force.

During his 41 years as a police constable he carried out about 3,500 arrests.

The Jane's Police Review awards highlight the work of bobbies on the beat who are not attached to high-profile units or squads and who rarely make the headlines.

More than 110 officers are up for nomination from 46 police forces across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.