COUNCIL officers who regularly leave the safety of the Civic Centre to police the streets of Harrow have been commended at a national awards ceremony.

Borough Beat, launched last summer, is an initiative between the council and police which trains council employees up as special constables.

The eight Harrow Council employees serve alongside police officers for a few days every month and have been recognised for their part in reducing Harrow's already low level of crime.

Harrow Police was one of only three forces in the country to be recognised for the scheme and the Borough Beat team bagged the Employers Support Award at the 15th annual Special Constables and Police Support Volunteers Awards 2007.

Local MP and the Minister of State for policing, safety and community safety, Tony McNulty, presented the awards and said: "Members of the special constabulary and police support volunteers play a vital role in supporting regular police colleagues, providing reassurance to communities and helping to solve specific policing issues."

Chief Inspector Louis Smith, who deals with operations at Harrow police, said: "This award was for the Borough Beat special constables and I was extremely proud to receive it on their behalf. Borough Beat is an innovative approach to recruitment and to crime disorder reduction.

"It is also an excellent example of partnership working. Out eight special constables have already proved to be highly effective. They were a visible part of the policing at Pinner Fair which was a zero crime event."