A COUNTER-terrorism officer has been rewarded for her ‘outstanding service and dedication’ to preventing violent extremism.

DI Andrea Bradbury received the George Herbert Redman Award 2011 ahead of Wednesday’s Lancashire Police Authority meeting in recognition of 25 years’ service.

Chairman Malcolm Doherty presented the award to DI Bradbury, who has gone ‘beyond the call of duty’ on the force’s Prevent Counter Terrorism Branch.

She joined the force in 1986 and has enjoyed a long and illustrious career, spending the vast majority of her service within the communities of East Lancashire where she first serviced as a uniformed constable.

As geographic inspector for Blackburn between 2003 and 2008, she was instrumental to creating a safer community by driving forward huge reductions in crime figures and increasing local community confidence within the police.

Since 2008 DI Bradbury has spearheaded the Government’s Prevent Strategy as part of the Constabulary’s Counter Terrorism Branch, and is recognised as a key figure within the department which achieved national recognition for its expertise in preventing violent extremism through community engagement.

Also in the honours was PCSO Maria Fetherstone, from Chorley, who won the Community Support Officer of the Year Award 2011 for her passion for driving down crime in the area and making it a safer place for residents.

In her four years working in the ward, anti-social behaviour has dropped by 10 per cent and criminal damage by more than 22 per cent.