Award-winning special PC is really the business

A business management undergraduate who spends nearly 130 hours of his spare-time per month "on the beat" as a special police constable has won two awards - one for bravery and one for hours served.

Tom White, 21, who is studying business management at Sheffield Hallam University, won the divisional commander medal earlier this year for his role in apprehending five men wanted in connection with a suspected attack in Leeds city centre.

Tom then walked away with the Special Constable of the Year award at the Excel Awards, held by West Yorkshire Police, earlier this month.

Tom received the award for serving 130 hours per month as a special constable, despite it being a voluntary role.

He said: "It's great to be recognised by West Yorkshire Police. I've been known to work 20 hour shifts before and I clock up full-time hours even though I'm studying for a degree!"

Tom, has applied to join West Yorkshire Police full-time when he graduates from University in the summer.

And he says that his degree in business management will increase his job options upon graduation.

For press information, contact: Laurie Harvey on 0114 225 2621 or email pressoffice@shu.ac.uk