27 year-old Accredited Community Safety Officer, Sophie Davis from Locks Heath was pipped at the post in last night’s Council Worker of the Year award ceremony in Harrogate.

Sophie, who was the only finalist from the South East and just one of four nominated for their work with youngsters, was at the Ceremony with her mother, Judy, and Deputy Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Roy Perry:

 “…we are all so proud that Sophie’s dedication and enthusiasm for working with young people was recognised in this way… Sophie has always gone the extra mile and her initiative with the Junior Community Teams has made a big difference to the children and families who have a sense of pride and responsibility in their communities.

“Hampshire County Council is a top performing four-star authority and we are so proud that we have had a finalist in the Council Worker of the Year as part of our team. I would like to thank everyone who voted for her.”

Sophie set up a network of Junior Community Teams in areas across Hampshire where there were low levels of anti-social behaviour amongst youngsters. Their aims of the teams are to improve the physical environment, bridge the generation gap, promote citizenship and to tackle anti-social behaviour by encouraging young people to develop a sense of community pride in their neighbourhood and to become responsible citizens. The scheme is to be rolled out in selected junior schools across the county.

BBC presenter Jeremy Vine gave out the awards at a gala dinner on the last night of the Local Government Association annual conference. Sophie was narrowly beaten by Nikki Toms, a sports development officer from Teignbridge District Council in Devon.