WILTSHIRE'S Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson has been made an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list for services to the community.

The award of Member of the Order of the British Empire is given for an outstanding achievement or service to the community which will have had a significant impact and stand out as an example to others.

Mr Macpherson was elected as the first Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon in November 2012 and re-elected in 2016.

He said: “It is a great honour to be recognised with this award and I feel very proud. I would like to express my grateful thanks to [my wife] Sara-Jane and my family for all their support which is greatly appreciated."

Before becoming PCC he was a lead member of the old Wiltshire Police Authority for seven years from 2005 to 2012.

In 1992 he was appointed to the Wiltshire magistrates bench and served in Swindon. He was a long-serving member of the policy committee and led several local consultations on sentencing guidelines.

In addition to his voluntary work as a magistrate, he also served as a borough councillor.

Mr Macpherson is a former chairman of Threshold Housing Link and has run the Filling Station, a charity which works to feed homeless people on the streets of Swindon.

In 2001 he became treasurer of Wiltshire Community Foundation and between 2006 and 2015 he was a trustee.

Mr Macpherson added: “I believe the award reflects the hard work and commitment of the many people who give up their time in Wiltshire and Swindon for the common good.

“I have in mind the band of volunteers who turn out in all weathers for the Filling Station, caring for some 50 or so men and women who are sleeping on our streets.

“Similarly the men and women who dispense justice in a voluntary capacity as magistrates in our courts.

“Most of all, I believe this honour reflects on the outstanding men and women of Wiltshire Police who help to keep us safe in their roles as police officers and police staff.”