VOLUNTEERS representing all departments of Northumbria Police gathered together at Alnwick Castle for the force’s annual Volunteers’ Conference.

The event was held on June 8, and saw the Great Hall filled with police cadets, mini police, special constables, and dozens of police support volunteers including cyber volunteers, Community Speed Watch and members of the force chaplaincy.

The castle, which is usually home to witches and wizards as one of the filming locations for the Harry Potter movies, proved the perfect setting for a magical celebration of guests who have gone the extra mile to support local policing in their own time as volunteers.

Awards were handed out to those present to recognise pride and dedication to the service, including Citizen in Policing and Inspirational Citizen accolades.

Chief Superintendent Sarah Pitt, volunteer lead for Northumbria Police, said: “It was wonderful to be able to celebrate the fantastic contribution that our volunteers make.

“So many of our volunteers go over and above, but the recipients of these awards this year exemplify what volunteering looks like at Northumbria Police and I am incredibly proud.”