South Norwood Safer Neighbourhoods Team has been crowned Team of the Year.

The team won the annual George Hammond Team of the Year Award for 2010/11, after receiving more than 400 nominations from residents and community partners on the ward.

The South Norwood SNT attended a ceremony at Croydon Town Hall on November 12, where they were presented with their award by Brian Udell, the Chairman of the Croydon Neighbourhood Watch Association (CBNWA) and a police representative.

Highly Commended awards were also given to Shirley and Farifield SNTs, after they both gained strong nominations for their work over the last year.

The award was introduced four years ago by the Chair of the CBNWA, to celebrate the positive relationship between members of the public and the SNTs in the borough.

The award has since been renamed after George Hammond, a founding member of the CBNWA who died in October 2008.

Mr Hammond also served as a Special Constable in Croydon.

Sergeant Cliff Baxter, from the South Norwood SNT said: "All Safer Neighbourhoods Teams in Croydon do an excellent job throughout Croydon, but to be singled out for this award was a great achievement and I was delighted to receive it on behalf of all of the dedicated officers on the South Norwood SNT."

Brian Udell, Chairman of the CBNWA added: "In presenting this award, I hope that all SNTs across Croydon will work even more closely with local CBNWA coordinators to reduce crime and the fear of crime across the borough."