THE search is on to find Poole's community heroes as the Safer Poole Partnership launches the annual John Jay Shield award.

This shield is presented each year to the individual or group judged to have contributed the most to making Poole a safer place and members of the public are being urged to nominate their community safety hero.

Last year's winners, from Poole Forum's Safe Places team, were awarded the shield in recognition of their work with businesses and community organisations to provide places where disabled and vulnerable people can get help if they are feeling unsafe or unwell.

There are now more than 40 safe places across Poole and the team was chosen from a shortlist of six.

To be considered for the award nominees must have helped make Poole a safer place over the previous year, helped build a supportive community, improved the lives of people at risk of offending or re-offending, supported victims of crime or helped prevent or detect crimes.

They can be a volunteer or someone employed to work in the community, provided they have gone above and beyond what is expected of them in their role.

Cllr Karen Rampton, cabinet portfolio holder for community safety and chairman of the Safer Poole Partnership Board, Borough of Poole, said: “Poole is a better place because of the many selfless individuals who work tirelessly to make our communities safer, but sadly their hard work often goes unrecognised. The John Jay Shield is our way of saying thank you.

“If you know of someone who goes above and beyond to make Poole safer, please don’t hesitate to nominate them. We want to give them the recognition they deserve.”

The deadline for nominations is Wednesday January 6 2016.

For more information about the awards and to nominate someone, visit poole.gov.uk/communities-and-people/crime-and-disorder/safer-poole-partnership/john-jay-shield/.