THE team who created a facility that allows vulnerable witnesses to give evidence away from the court room have been recognised at the Dorset Police Annual Awards Ceremony.

The Dorset Live Link team were presented with the Dorset Criminal Justice Board (DCJB) Award – which recognises a team or individual that has delivered an outstanding contribution to Dorset’s criminal justice system.

The live link team is a multi-agency team consisting of members from Dorset Police, the Wessex Crown Prosecution Service, Her Majesty’s Courts Services and the Citizens Advice Witness Service, who work closely together to improve facilities for vulnerable witnesses.

Chairman of the DCJB Deputy Chief Constable James Vaughan said: “The team put in a considerable amount of preparation to develop a facility known as the Dorset Remote Live Link (DRLL.

“It allows victims of domestic abuse, children and other vulnerable individuals who are likely to be too intimidated to attend court, to be able to give evidence via a live link at a site away from the court-house, with no risk of coming face-to-face with defendants.

The awards recognise police officers, staff and volunteers for their exceptional contribution to policing across the county.

A total of 23 awards were presented during the ceremony on Tuesday, February 28 at Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne.

Constable Sophie Williams from the Bournemouth East Safer Neighbourhood team received the Public Confidence Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Superintendent Charlie Eggar, who is entering the last months of his career in the police service.

And the Special Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to the former Chief Fire Officer of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Darran Gunter.

Volunteers were also acknowledged for their dedication to policing including the six members of the Ferndown Police Community Office team who received the Volunteer Team of Year Award.