Telegraph & Argus reporter Joanne Earp has been formally commended for her sensitivity in dealing with the Bradford mum of an abducted toddler.

Our crime reporter was presented with a Certificate of Merit at Eccleshill Police Station yesterday.

The award - handed over by Amy Grimshaw - was in recognition of the way she handled interviews with the young mum of kidnapped toddler Daniel Grimshaw.

Seventeen-month-old Daniel was snatched from his pram in Wrose on November 9.

The T&A printed an open letter from Amy, appealing to readers for information about the youngster.

And we joined forces with the police to launch a high-profile poster campaign in a bid to track down the toddler.

Having been reunited with her son after an 11-week ordeal, Amy wanted the T&A's handling of the story to be formally recognised.

She said: "Joanne was very kind and considerate towards me. I think she deserves a pat on the back for helping me get Daniel back.

"I was nervous about being interviewed and worried about getting upset, but Joanne was great. A big thank you to her."

The man who led the hunt for Daniel, Eccleshill Divisional Commander Superintendent Stuart Hyde, said: "Throughout this terrible ordeal Joanne treated the family with empathy and compassion.

"Amy wanted to pass on her thanks formally, and it is in recognition of this that she is being formally commended."

T&A editor Perry Austin-Clarke said people did not always understand the difference between the national press and the local press when it came to dealing with human stories.

"This is a prime example of the role that local newspapers can play in keeping readers informed while, at the same time, helping the investigation and ensuring that we do not add to the distress of relatives and friends,'' he said.

"Local newspapers aren't about barging in, grabbing a quick headline, then moving on to the next target. We live in and with this community and it's vitally important that we understand the feelings of our readers and treat them the way each of our staff would wish to be treated.

"This award to Joanne is recognition of that and I'm proud of the way she earned it and very grateful to Amy for thinking of us. Above all, we're thrilled that Daniel is home safe."

l Six men have been charged with kidnap in connection with Daniel's disappearance and are due to stand trial later this year.

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