GWENT Police officers received commendations from the Criminal Justice Department at an awards ceremony in Caerleon.

Custody Detention Officer (CDO) Janet Woodward, who works in the new Ystrad Mynach Custody Unit, formerly of Blackwood and Newport, was recognised for her initiative for introducing a cell door footwear holder designed to prevent co-defendants recognising each other by their shoes.

CDO Michael Parfitt was commended following an incident in May 2007 when a man approached a vehicle and demanded the victim drop her bag as he had a gun.

The suspect tried to get into the vehicle, but ran off after kicking the bumper, footwear lifts were taken and it was revealed that a named suspect had been in custody previously wearing the same shoes.

The suspect's shoes were taken to the footwear unit and the police were able to establish a link between the suspect and the crime scene.

CDO Parfitt was commended because he took a good shoe sample originally and for his role in the detection of crime.

Nurse Jane Brown, Sgt Simon Clarke and CDO Rachel Hambly received their commendation for their actions when a diabetic prisoner at Ystrad Mynach Custody Unit was found to have not taken her insulin and the attention she was given under she received medical attention.