POLICE officers and PCSOs have been rewarded for their hard work at an annual ceremony.

More than 60 officers were handed prizes at the Lewisham police commendation ceremony last week.

Detective Constable Tom Parker was singled out for particular praise after his financial investigation tracked down 65-year-old Abdool Hamuth who stole £72,000 from Alzheimer's sufferer Alan Roberts.

Hamuth, who worked at a nursing home between 2003 and 2004, tricked his patient into handing over the money.

Det Con Parker trawled through mountains of paperwork and tracked down a key witness in America before helping to extradite Hamuth from Mauritius.

Hamuth eventually pleaded guilty to obtaining money transfer by deception, and in September last year he was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison.

A group of Lewisham police officers from Operation Trilogy were also praised for their undercover operation Dryas which tackled serious violence in the borough and saw 15 people convicted of various crimes.

Lewisham police borough commander Chief Superintendent Jeremy Burton presented all the winners with their trophies.

He said: “I am immensely proud to lead officers and staff who really go beyond the high standard of work which is already required of them.

"I noticed that many had done this more than once, which is excellent, and I hope this outstanding commitment to keeping the community of Lewisham safe, will continue.”