Detective Chief Inspector Leanne Pook, Avon and Somerset Police

Leanne has been by our side throughout our campaign to end gender based violence and female gender mutilation.  Having a DCI, a woman and somebody so kind and supportive on our side made such a difference, she's made me and my friends feel safe and valued.  I remember many occasions when she dropped whatever she was doing to come and help in a crisis, offer advice or support or bring a bag of doughnuts to help us get though a difficult day.  There were times when our work angered people, when they tried to stop us speaking out against this horrible form of gender based violence and child abuse - that's why it had stayed hidden for so long.  People like Leanne, and the support and feeling of safety she gave us helped so much.  She's incredibly busy, she has two small children and yet she has always, always come to our events, answered our emails and helped the young people in our charity with any issues they have.  Because of Leanne, there are so many young people who understand and really believe that the police are there to help and support, they are on our side, not against us.  She has followed our campaign, our ups and our downs and has done more than anyone could ask, but sometimes it's hard to show how much you appreciate somebody special - so this is how we want to do it.  If there were more Leanne Pooks in the world, it would be so much easier to end the injustices and the kinds of abuse that keep people silent.  But above all, it's her fierce and tireless dedication to safeguarding children from the humiliating and life long debilitating effects of female genital mutilation that we want to thank her.  So many professionals who are responsible for keeping girls safe, don't do what they should. Leanne does what she should, she doesn't give up, she doesn't take the easy route - and she does so much more.  There are girls in Bristol who have been saved from FGM because of Leanne - and there are a lot of us who know that.