TWO former Lancashire Police officers have today received awards in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Mark Whelan was given an MBE with Paul Withers receiving a Queen's Police Medal. Both men worked throughout the east of the county during their time in in force, with Paul hailing from Blackburn and starting his career in 1991.

Mark, 53, from Skipton, was formerly a detective sergeant who was recognised for helping to set up the Engage Team, one of the country’s first police units dedicated to tackling child sexual exploitation.

The birthday list, normally released in June, was delayed until the autumn following agreement between the Queen and Prime Minister in order to respect current circumstances during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Mark said: “This is both a very proud and humbling award to receive – I still can’t quite believe it.

“I began my career with the police in 1995, working as a constable in Blackburn. I became a detective in 2004 working in CID.

“I helped to set up the Engage Team and my work within the unit is my proudest achievement. Over many years we have helped to support and get justice for a number of victims and the work continues to this day.

“I must also place on record my thanks to my family and colleagues. I couldn’t accept this award without mentioning the many people who I worked with over the last 24 years.”

Mark began his career working as a civil servant in the unemployment benefit office in Blackburn.

He joined the police in January 1995 as a constable, before moving into the intelligence department in 2000.

In 2004 he moved into CID and then the Public Protection Unit, before helping to set up the Engage Team in 2008. The multi-agency team, which worked with exploited children to bring offenders to justice, included partners from Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council, the NHS and Parents Against Child Exploitation.

Mark also worked in the UK disaster identification team for 10 years and was deployed to help following the Derek Bird shootings in Cumbria and the Morecambe Bay helicopter disaster.

He has received several superintendent and chief constables awards for policing, including a Chief Constable Commendation for Bravery after arresting a man who threatened him with a rifle.

The Engage Team’s work was recognised in 2009 with a national Problem Oriented Policing award. Following this Mark and a colleague travelled to California to present at the Herman Goldstein Awards Conference.

Mark and a colleague later travelled to the European Parliament as part of discussions around tackling child exploitation.

Since retiring from the police in August 2019, Mark is working with Parents Against Child Exploitation as a national training coordinator.

Chief Constable Andy Rhodes said: “This award is richly deserved and I offer my congratulations to Mark.

“Throughout his time with Lancashire Police Mark was tireless in his commitment to the public, especially those who are most vulnerable and his work tackling child sexual exploitation has been widely recognised at a local and national level. As a result of his leadership countless victims of crime have been protected and those who have committed offences against them have been brought to justice.

“This is a fantastic honour for Mark and his family.”

Former Lancashire Police Det Supt Paul Withers has been awarded a Queen’s Police Medal for services to policing.

Paul, 51, from Blackburn, started working as a police constable in 1991 and progressed through the ranks to work in CID and led on many high profile and challenging murder investigations.

In January 2016 Paul was the Senior Investigating Officer in the murder of Sadie Hartley, a businesswoman brutally murdered at her home in Helmshore.

Paul led the inquiry team, placing the fight for justice for Sadie’s family at the heart of the investigation. Two suspects were later identified and convicted of murder, receiving life sentences.

In September 2016 he also led the investigation into the death of Mohammed Yousaf in Accrington.

The murder was financially motivated with a man and woman later jailed for a total of 60 years. Paul’s investigation team were recognised for their efforts by winning ‘Team of the Year’ at the National Homicide Awards.

In his Queen’s Police Medal nomination he was praised for his “drive and determination” as well as his motivation to fight for justice on behalf of families who had lost loved ones or had their lives changed forever by the consequences of serious crime.

Paul said: “I consider myself very fortunate to have worked as a police officer in Lancashire for the last 28 years and I genuinely feel humbled by this award.

“I have worked with many talented and dedicated people across the county and this award is recognition as much for them as it is for me.

“I must also thank my wife and family for their patience and support during my career.

“Police officers, police staff and the wider constabulary family display an unrivalled commitment to serve the public in the best way they can, regardless of the challenges that are laid before them. This is normally done without complaint and with little regard to personal pressures or the difficulties it brings to family life.

“I must thank everyone I worked with during my service. I have many happy memories that will last a lifetime and I remain incredibly proud to have served with the Lancashire Constabulary.”

Chief Constable Andy Rhodes, of Lancashire Police, said: “This is fantastic news and I must congratulate Paul on being awarded a Queen’s Police Medal.

“He has spent his working life dedicated to policing and to serving the communities of Lancashire and worked on a number of high-profile investigations.

“This award is a fitting tribute to his enthusiasm, dedication and commitment.

“We are immensely proud of Paul who epitomises the finest traditions of Lancashire Constabulary.”