High Sheriff Justice Awards and Youth Awards

The last ceremony was held in February at the UK Supreme Court by kind permission of the President of the Supreme Court, Lord Reed.

It was a huge privilege to be able to award certificates to people who had shown extraordinary acts of bravery and public spiritedness to help bring someone to justice and in coming to the aid of a victim. These included a student who on leaving college saw a man being stabbed in the street and went over to save him, putting herself at risk. Unfortunately the victim did not survive; and two prison officers from two prisons who, by themselves, whilst on duty, put themselves at risk to protect one prisoner from attack by groups of other prisoners.

The award recipients fully reflected the diversity of London. Their public spiritedness is humbling. It is also vital to the work of the Metropolitan Police. Policing depends on the support (and consent) of the public to keep communities safe and detect and prevent crime.

The occasion also created the opportunity to award High Sheriff of Greater London Youth Awards, special recognition certificates given to young people who have overcome personal challenges or challenging circumstances. They were nominated by the youth officers/youth worker at charity organisations they attended. Youth Award certificates were also given to nominated members of the Voluntary Police Cadets for their achievements in that service.

The event was attended by the Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, the judges who recommended the awards be made and Justices of the Supreme Court, bringing Justice visibly to the fore. The Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London was also present and expressed his gratitude to the award recipients on behalf of the citizens of London and where appropriate, congratulated the recipients of the High Sheriff of Greater London Youth Awards. Thanks to jampondphotography for the photographs from this event.

An event for High Sheriff Justice Awards and Youth awards were also held in July 2024 at Inner London Crown Court. Again the Justice award recipients had demonstrated acts of bravery and public spiritedness. Thanks to the resident Judge HHJ Usha Karu for hosting this event. The event was also attended by the nominating Judges, The Lord Lieutenant and Lord Justice Edis, Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales.