A FEMALE cop whose team made 50 arrests last year has been honoured as Colchester’s top thief-catcher.

Nicola Tanwair has been named the town’s top cop for 2010 by the Colchester Association for the Protection of Property.

She has been honoured for her work while serving as an acting sergeant, leading the team responsible for the southern half of the town. Covering a patch ranging from Monkwick to the Hythe and out to Tiptree and Mersea, she helped an inexperienced team make 50 arrests during the year – collaring ten criminals herself.

As well as arresting a suspect in a rape case, her team picked up crooks responsible for robberies, assaults, handling stolen goods and other offences.

Ms Tanwair, 44, who has since moved over to CID as a detective constable, said: “I have to say I was really chuffed. It sounds a bit corny, but I like the job so I was quite pleased.”

The former Royal Navy communications officer was one of three officers nominated for the award by Eastern division commander Chief Supt Alison Newcomb following a recommendation by Chief Insp Lee Davies, Colchester’s district commander.

Association chairman Richard Lindsey said: “When the three names were put forward to us, it was a unanimous decision Nicola was the one who should get the award.

“There was no single incident, but over a period of time she had obviously done a very good job in apprehending so many felons.”

Mr Lindsey’s association was originally founded in 1783 to fund prosecutions in the days before the Crown took criminals to court. Its role nowadays is to encourage and recognise the efforts of the police.

Ms Tanwair will be officially presented with her award by Colchester mayor Sonia Lewis at a dinner in the Moot Hall next week.