Taking a stand to be rewarded
Community-minded individuals who take a stand against anti-social behaviour and low-level crime in their area are to be recognised in a new awards scheme.
The accolades are part of the Community Crime Fighter scheme, which encourages and trains experienced local volunteers to do more to make their neighbourhoods safer. It aims to develop strong links between crime fighting agencies and the communities they serve.
Community Crime Fighters are given the skills and training to work alongside police and local authorities to make their areas safer. The scheme was launched in Bristol in June this year and so far 69 people have been trained.
These include members of the public who are tenants’ representatives, Neighbourhood Watch members or simply community-minded individuals who have stood up against crime or anti-social behaviour in their area.
Each took part in special training days with senior figures from the criminal justice system where they heard how crime is being tackled in Bristol and how they can help in helping build stronger, safer communities.
The national awards, which also recognise paid workers involved in fighting crime, are backed by Safer Bristol, the partnership of public agencies working together in the city to tackle crime and create safer and stronger communities.
The awards are in two categories:
Exceptional People: These are members of the public who have stood up to anti-social behaviour or supported others to do so. This includes newly-trained Community Crime Fighters who have made a significant contribution to support crime reduction in their neighbourhoods. This category is open to nominations from members of the public.
Wonderful Worker: This award recognises paid workers such as PCSOs, housing officers or a member of the anti-social behaviour or Community Safety Teams who go ‘above and beyond’ their duties to provide an exceptional level of service to the community. To nominate someone in this category you must be a Community Crime Fighter.
Safer Bristol’s Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Coordinator Kate O’Conner said: “The public right across Bristol play a vital role in strengthening our communities and provide a valuable link with the police.
“That’s why we are asking the public to nominate the individuals who are brave enough to stand up against crime or anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhood and who give up their free time to help make their communities safer.
“And we want our Community Crime Fighters to tell us who, among the professionals they work with, goes the extra mile through hard work and dedication to help make our neighbourhoods safer.”
Launching the awards nationally, Police Minister David Hanson said: “The awards are a chance for us to recognise the unsung heroes in our communities who make a difference to everyday lives.”
Each category will have one overall winner who will receive £10,000 to invest in a local community project or initiative. All winners will receive a personalised certificate acknowledging their achievement. Winners and those who nominated them will be invited to a celebration event in London in December.
Nominations can be made online (see link below) or by contacting Kate O’Connor at Safer Bristol on 0117 914 2222. The closing date for nominations is Friday 25 September.
The awards are part of the government’s Justice Seen, Justice Done programme which engages the public in the fight against crime, informing individuals about their rights on crime and justice and giving them the best possible local services.
So far more than 2,000 Community Crime Fighters have been trained across the country. The government has a target of 3,600 by the end of 2009.
Anyone wishing to become a Community Crime Fighter or who would like more information should contact Kate O’Connor or Julia Gagliardi Safer Bristol’s Neighbourhood Crime & Justice Co-ordinators at Safer Bristol on 0117 914 2222. The next training session takes place in Cardiff on Thursday 5th November.
