Two security officers from Ward Security who helped foil a robbery attack have scooped a prestigious award in the annual Safer Bromley Awards.
Lee Chapman and Dennis Waterman, who work as dog handlers patrolling Bromley borough’s parks and open spaces, were among a number of ‘unsung heroes’ who picked up awards for helping make the borough a safer place. The event was organised by the Safer Bromley Partnership that brings together the police, council and other bodies to work together on safety issues. Both Lee and Dennis were recognised for their dedication when helping Police apprehend three offenders after they had robbed an individual at knifepoint in Bromely high street of a phone and belt. The two officers had given chase to the offenders and detained one of them until the Police arrived. Toby Smith, Parks Operations and Security Manager, London Borough of Bromley, said the two Ward Security officers had been working on the Bromley contract for the last seven years “as dedicated and conscientious members of the team where no task or issue is too great”. “I am very pleased and proud that Lee and Dennis both won an award in the ‘Working Together in Partnership’ category at the Safer Bromley Awards. Their conduct and professionalism typifies the culture and ethos that the whole security dog handler team have at Bromley every day and what we have come to expect from Ward Security,” said Mr Smith. Like all Ward Security dog teams, both Lee and Dennis – both dog and handlers – were chosen for their communications and people skills. All Ward Security’s dogs are ‘homed’ with their handlers, which means they work as a highly effective single unit. “Our teams are particularly keen to foster a community spirit, so patrolling open spaces and public parks is always handled in a flexible way to ensure the public is protected in a non-aggressive way,” said Ward Security’s Dog Unit Manager, Ali Todd. “As a direct result of this approach, Ward Security dog teams have had great success in reducing anti-social behaviour and vandalism. Lee and Dennis’s success is evidence of this, and their dedication in patrolling parks and gardens in Bromley made them an excellent choice for a Safer Bromley award.” Patrick Phillips, Head of Parks and Greenspace, London Borough of Bromley, said: “It was an outstanding performance, from two outstanding officers from an outstanding company which is always prepared to go the extra mile to get the job done.”