A Barnet PCSO was named the best in his field at a Metropolitan Police awards ceremony.

Justin Burda won the PCSO of the year prize at the annual Excellence in Policing Awards held in central London yesterday (Wednesday) evening.

The part-time officer was lauded for his ability to recognise the faces of suspects from circulated images.

He has identified and apprehended 26 suspects in his ward in the past 12 months and was praised for being proactive in improving communication about and recognition of offenders.

Mr Burda collected his award from Met Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe.