A BASINGSTOKE community safety patrol officer (CSPO) has been presented with the British Empire Medal, for services to homeless people.

The medal was presented to David Mason on Wednesday, July 7 by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson Esq, in a ceremony held at the Great Hall in Winchester, after the award was announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List last year.

David, who has worked at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council since 2006, worked in partnership with homeless organisations, charities and local businesses to design, develop and deliver a town centre storage scheme in Basingstoke.

The scheme enabled homeless people’s bedding to be safely stored, providing them with additional security and peace of mind while also responding to growing concerns from businesses in relation to bedding left in shop doorways.

Throughout David’s career with the council, he has worked collaboratively on a number of initiatives to help resolve issues in the community, such as neighbourhood agreements and the Safer Shops Scheme to tackle and deter antisocial behaviour at shopping parades.

David said: “I am honoured and thrilled to be presented with the British Empire Medal by the Lord-Lieutenant on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen.

"The projects and schemes I have worked on were only made possible by the hard work and help of many partners and I would like to dedicate the medal to all those who work so hard in Basingstoke to help the homeless.”

Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Onnalee Cubitt, said: “This is very well-deserved recognition for the dedication of David and the team to helping people in our borough. David should be incredibly proud of his achievements and the integral part he has played in helping those in need in our community. He has demonstrated what can be achieved by working collaboratively.”