A COMPUTER expert has become the first civilian to win Durham Constabulary's top award.

The force's system support manager, Rob Green, 49, has won the Matt Wilkinson Trophy, given annually for outstanding police work and ideas that make a major contribution to efficiency.

He and three colleagues developed a computer system that can dip into the force's central repository containing details on incidents, crimes and arrests.

Ultimately, the system will give information on crime patterns and offending hot-spots and will link to similar systems in neighbouring forces.

Mr Green, of South Moor, Stanley, County Durham, said: "This was no solo performance. It was a team effort every step of the way and the support of our management was vital."

Assistant Chief Constable Ron Hogg said the system represented a significant technological advance.

Dog handler PC Daryl Edmunds and his dog, Sam, won the John Turner Award, for disarming a man with a knife and catching a burglar who had stolen computers.

The Probationer of the Year title was shared by PC James Somersall, of Chester-le-Street and Durham division, and PC David Nunn, of Darlington.

PC Somersall, 23, impressed his superiors with his knowledge of criminals and instinct to prevent and detect crime.

PC Nunn, 29, showed creativity in tackling crime and earned a letter of appreciation from Chief Constable George Hedges.