A COUNTY policeman is a finalist in a national competition for his outstanding `front line' contribution to his local community.

Jon Harris, beat manager for West Mercia in Stourport-on-Severn, is one of three finalists for the Raising the Standard category in the national Public Servants of the Year Awards 2006.

He beat tough competition from 152 extra-special people nominated to go through to the glittering finalist ceremony, in London on May 17.

He also stands a chance of winning the prestigious Outstanding Public Servant of the Year 2006 title.

The officer was short-listed for his dedication to reducing and detecting crime and disorder.

He is said to have improved the quality of life for the 19,000 residents, businesses and visitors in his town of work.

He established the Sandy Lane Business Association to tackle crime levels on the Wyre Forest District's largest industrial estate. He secured part-funding for expansion of close circuit TV (CCTV) and the employment of a security manager. This initiative reduced the crime on the estate by 60 per cent.

Other achievements includes his creation of the TRAPT project in 2004 at Stourport High School which involved 12 pupils who faced permanent exclusion.

They worked in school time to produce a film and website that explores the issues of 15-year-olds that lead them to offending. The project led to all 12 pupils staying in school and improving their performance - six of them have now decided to stay on in sixth form.

TRAPT has now been extended across all district schools and in the West Midlands.

Jon said: "I feel honoured to be considered for this award. If the work I have done over the past years have changed the attitudes of young offenders towards crime for the better, then all my hard work has paid off."

The ceremony is to be hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald and Felicity Barr, anchor for Al Jazeera International's London broadcast centre.