POLICE officers who helped jail two prolific thieves were given commendations at a ceremony yesterday.

The six officers were commended for the tenacity, determination, analytical and investigation skills that led to the arrest and the conviction of two men from Middlesbrough.

Officers set up video surveillance of unmarked police cars on the North York Moors after more than 100 vehicles left by walkers had windows smashed and items stolen from them.

The pair were jailed for 18 months at Teesside Crown Court in January.

PC Martin Recchia, from Malton, PC Ray Thwaites, from Helmsley, PC Andy Pomfret, from Kirkbymoorside, PC Steve Leach, from Helmsley, DC Simon Caukwell, from Northallerton, and crime intelligence analyst Sue Dandy, were all commended at the ceremony, in the Feversham Arms Hotel, Helmsley.

The ceremony was led by eastern area commander Chief Superintendent David Short, and was watched by Deputy Lieutenant Lady Clarissa Collin, from Pockley, near Helmsley.

North Yorkshire Chief Constable Della Cannings also attended.

Among the other recipients were Scarborough PCs Pierre Olesqui, Alasdair McNeill, Lucy Moore and Michael Atkinson, who were chosen for the quick-thinking and sensitive way they dealt with a man who was threatening to kill himself by jumping off Scarborough's Glenn Bridge in November last year.

Similarly, PCs Paul Rogers and Ian Fox, from Scarborough, were commended for the way they dealt with a woman who was trying to jump from cliffs at Scalby Mills.

An award was presented to Cleveland Search and Rescue Team for the support given to the county's police force in search and rescue operations. Members Peter Garrod and David Little collected the award.

Special Constable Bob Ogier, from Malton, was commended for his observational skills, which resulted in three people being arrested and charged with burglary in Knapton, near Malton, in July last year.

Wayne Jefferson, from Thirsk, was commended for his quick-thinking and public-spirited actions after he discovered a crime was being committed in Thirsk in December.

Control room operator Bryan Burns was also given a commendation in recognition of his many years as a control operator.