TWO rookie police officers have shared an award for their crimebusting prowess.

PCs Gary Davison and Brian Dawson, who are both based in Peterlee, won Durham Constabulary's Probationer Officers of the Year Award.

Since he joined the force in May last year, PC Davison, 37, has made more than 90 arrests, including several burglars and a robber from Horden, who was jailed for seven years.

He also planned a successful operation to arrest a local drugs dealer.

PC Dawson, 34, who joined the force in April 2002, won the award for his sensitive handling of inquiries into an attempted rape, and for his work in arresting some of the most active criminals in Peterlee.

Superintendent Carole Thompson said: "PC Davison and PC Dawson are a credit to themselves and to Durham Constabulary.

"They have performed to the highest possible standard, far beyond that which might be expected from officers with their level of service."

The two men won one of three trophies which were presented during a ceremony at police headquarters at Aykley Heads, Durham City.

Traffic officer PC Ian Ross won the Matt Wilkinson Trophy for outstanding police work. He was on patrol last March when he received reports of a handbag snatch at the Arnison Centre, near Durham. The offender had driven off in a stolen Ford Orion car.

PC Ross followed the car to West Rainton, where the driver abandoned it and ran off.

PC Ross, who had only just returned to work after a knee operation, chased the man and arrested him. The man was later jailed for four years.

The third award, the John Turner Trophy, presented annually for the most meritorious piece of work by a police dog, went to PC Tony Drummond and his German Shepherd dog, Ceasar.