A horse rider who relies on hoof power to help people feel safe across East Suffolk has won another national award.

Sarah Hills is a keen rider and one of Suffolk Constabulary’s mounted volunteers on her gelding Robbie.

They are part of the Eyes and Ears scheme which encourages people in rural communities to report any criminal activity in their neighbourhoods.

Eastern Daily Press: Sarah Hill with her awardSarah Hill with her award (Image: Horse & Hound Magazine)

Ms Hills has received the Unsung Hero Award from Horse & Hound magazine – two years after picking up a similar top award from the British Horse Society.

The pair are inseparable and can be seen patrolling areas around Beccles, Halesworth and Reydon on their regular rides across the district.

Ms Hills said: “We work as a team and Robbie has been at the forefront of both my police volunteer role and a positive influence in my personal life.

"Robbie is so special not only to me and my family but to many members of the public who see us riding out in East Suffolk.”

“We are often out and about in the community to chat with residents and visitors as part of the constabulary’s rural policing strategy.

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“It’s been such an honour to be part of the Police Support Volunteer team.”

In 2021 at the British Horse Society awards she won the Unsung Hero award and Robbie was named Equine Personality of the Year.

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She had spoken about juggling her demanding job as global director for Power Sonic, an energy storage company that supplies medical facilities and hospitals with batteries for equipment such as ventilators, with being a police volunteer.

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: "I would like to offer my congratulations to Sarah – and Robbie – for winning another national award.

"Sarah is a great ambassador for the volunteer on horseback scheme and she and Robbie are very much a partnership."