TWO DIAMOND police officers from Halesowen and Sandwell have been recognised for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Sergeant Martin Hall and constable Louise Rushin are in the running for honours at a new police awards ceremony to be held in Birmingham tomorrow.

Sgt Hall, of Halesowen North Neighbourhood Policing Team, is nominated in the Diamond Award’s Working in Partnership category while Pc Rushin, who went to the aid of an elderly couple being abused at an Oldbury petrol station while off duty, is in line for the the Putting the Public First award.

A statement from West Midlands Police said during the incident Pc Rushin, of Force Contact, Sandwell Local Policing Unit, “was verbally and physically abused and at one point thought she would be head-butted or run over but remained calm throughout.

“The offender made off but was later arrested "

A statement said Sgt Hall, of Halesowen North Neighbourhood Policing Team, was nominated because "he has worked extensively with Dudley Trading Standards and in one case four warrants were executed with 90 alleged criminal offences being looked at under the Fraud Act.”

It said Sgt Hall had worked with partner organisations on operations cracking down on red diesel and illegal immigrants.

The Diamond Awards, designed to recognise officers and members of the public who go the extra mile to make communities safer, will be presented at the Botanical Gardens, Edgbaston.

Chief Constable Chris Sims said: “Every day there are many examples of fantastic work, acts of bravery and people going above and beyond the call of duty; delivering a level of service that friends and family would be proud of.

“The Diamond Awards highlight some of these fantastic examples and praise individuals and teams that have made a significant contribution to helping make the West Midlands a safer place to live, work and visit.”

More than 50 nominees have been put forward in ten categories including Police Team and Employee of the Year.