A LONG-SERVING West Devon policeman has been selected as the winner of a highly regarded educational award.

Simon Dell from Tavistock was announced as the winner of the education category of the prestigious Anne Frank Awards, for his work with the national charity, Crimebeat.

The awards were set up in memory of the young Dutch Jewish girl who kept a diary of her experiences while hiding from the Nazis in an attic in Amsterdam during world war two.

Established in 2003 by the Anne Frank Trust UK, the awards are part of a highly regarded education and recognition programme which seeks to recognise young people and educators who have shown great personal strength, moral courage, and determination to stand up for what is right.

The organisers seek to acknowledge and celebrate people who not only believe in Anne Frank's inspirational words 'it only takes a moment to start to improve the world', but who also put them into action.

Anne's father Otto, who survived the war, founded the Anne Frank Trust in Amsterdam — it is the UK group of the trust which has recognised Simon for his Crimebeat work.

Simon said: 'The award is for someone who has made a difference to young people's lives and to help them overcome persecution, discrimination, hatred and bigotry.

'I got this award through my work with the Crimebeat charity for which I am the co-ordinator for Devon and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

'I engage with 10,000 youngsters a year who are being persecuted for all sorts of reasons.

'This award is in recognition of the past nine years and those whose lives hopefully have been made tolerable from being engaged with Crimebeat.

'I'm really honoured that the Anne Frank nominators felt that the efforts I make with young people are worthy of recognition.'

Simon will be presented with his award at the House of Commons on June 11.