A DETECTIVE who helped convict 12 child abusers in two years has been recognised for her work by Thames Valley Police.

Det Con Natalie Thompson was commended by Chief Constable Sara Thornton for her work in the Child Abuse Investigation Unit.

Her work led to 12 convictions of sexual offenders from 2011 to 2013.

She said: “It is not just me, though.

“We work very hard as a team and a lot of the convictions are team efforts.

“It is a good sense of achievement, firstly because you know you have put all that hard work into it, but equally for the victim.

“Hopefully, they can move on and get closure as a result of the good results.

“It was a combination of the cases that we had over that time period.

“I have been able to progress a lot of cases to court with some good results.”

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The 37-year-old, who is based at the child abuse investigation unit in Banbury, added: “I suppose it was an area I was interested in and I really wanted to make a difference to the victims of these crimes, and that is what I am very passionate about.”

Her cases have included that of paedophile Adam Reeves, who was jailed for eight years in February after the girl he sexually abused secretly recorded his confession.

Reeves – an IT worker who lived in Bicester until he was charged – admitted seven counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child after the covert recording was passed to the police and played during his trial at Oxford Crown Court in January.

Speaking at the time, Det Con Thompson said: “While we would never encourage victims to put themselves at any risk, we commend the victim for her bravery in taping Reeves and his confession.

“It must have taken a great deal of courage for her to take action like this and we hope this sentence will go some way to helping her feel her actions enabled Reeves to be brought to justice.”

Others were recognised for their efforts at the awards event earlier this month.

Pc Andrew Jennings and his five-year-old daughter Rowan were honoured for saving a man’s life on Cowley Road in March.

Rowan saw a man having a heart attack and her father gave life-saving CPR and the man made a full recovery.

Pc Jennings received a commendation and Rowan was presented with a special certificate of thanks from Ms Thornton.

Sgt Scott Evans, from the patrol team in Banbury, and Emma Murdoch, from the Information Research Bureau in Kidlington, were given long service awards for 20 years’ service.

Richard Collings received an award for volunteering for five years at the force’s headquarters in Kidlington.

Sgt Peter Dillon and Insp Philip Rogers, from Abingdon police station, and head of the control room Supt Howard Stone, were honoured on their retirement, all having worked at least 25 years.

Rodney Greenwood, who works at Thames Valley Police headquarters in Kidlington, received a shield for 50 years’ service.

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