The senior officer who oversaw the Wiltshire response in the wake of the Novichok poisonings has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours with the Queen’s Police Medal.

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Mills was one of two officers from the force to be given the gong, awarded for distinguished service or gallantry. It also went to head of operations Supt Dave Minty.

Chief Constable Kier Pritchard paid tribute to both officers. “I am hugely proud of the recognition that both Paul and Dave have received for their roles in helping to coordinate the significant partnership response to the events in Salisbury and Amesbury in 2018.

“They displayed the highest degree of professionalism in helping to protect the public and ensure the community had all the information to enable them to feel safe and confident in the response of police and partners.”

Paul moved to Wiltshire Police in 2007 as the chief inspector in charge of neighbourhood policing. He rose through the senior ranks and was appointed deputy chief constable in February 2018.

Just weeks later he found himself at the centre of an international incident when former Soviet spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with a nerve agent.

Wiltshire Police won plaudits around the world for its response to the Novichok attacks. The force was given a World Class Policing Award in November for the round-the-clock operation.

He later said: “We ended up with nine cordons around Wiltshire, with 90 officers in total protecting them. We only have 950 – we’re one of the UK’s smallest forces – so were assisted by 40 forces providing 700-800 officers,” he said.

He was shocked when Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley were poisoned in July. “We had to give out the difficult message that we couldn’t guarantee there wasn’t more of this stuff out there. We didn’t think there was, but we couldn’t rule it out. Dawn’s death was tragic.”

Wiltshire Police won plaudits around the world for its response to the Novichok attacks. The force was given a World Class Policing Award in November for the round-the-clock operation.

Dave joined Wiltshire Police more than 16 years ago after a career as a training instructor. He has served in uniformed roles in Salisbury, Warminster and at police headquarters. He is married and has a young son.

Among other Wiltshire award winners was Nationwide deputy chief financial officer Alison Robb, Nationwide’s deputy chief financial officer, was given an Order of the British Empire (OBE).

She has worked at the Swindon-based firm since 1996 and was recognised for services to financial services and diversity.

Alison said: “I’m really honoured to receive this award, but it has been tough keeping it under wraps for a few months until it was officially announced!

“I’ve worked across many fantastic teams within Nationwide and have been particularly proud to play a leading role within our diversity and inclusion agenda, especially supporting our achievement of more than three per cent of our senior leaders now being female.

“We will only be able to continue supporting the evolving needs of our members by attracting, and retaining, talented people of all backgrounds.