National Contact: Kate Daisley | E: | M: 07827 837729
Local Contact: [insert name], E: [insert email address], M: [insert mobile contact]
DISTINGUISHED NEIGHBOURHOOD AND HOME WATCH VOLUNTEERSCELEBRATED ATNATIONAL AWARDS
Local [man/woman][insert name] was rewarded for the work [he/she] does for the [insert place] community as [he/she] [won/was highly commended in]the national [insert title] Award.
Distinguished volunteers from across England and Wales were rewardedat a prestigious ceremony in Londonfor their efforts in reducing crime.Attended by dignitaries from the Home Office, Cabinet Office and the Police Service, the awards were held as part of National Neighbourhood and Home Watch Week and organised by the Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network.
Jim Maddan, Chairman for the Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network, said:
“It is always an honour to celebrate the work of our exceptional Neighbourhood and Home Watch volunteers who contribute and work tirelesslyday in and day out to the collective monetary value of £1 billion per year fighting crime in their neighbourhoods. This year’s Awards highlighted exemplary individuals and schemes from across the movement who have made a huge impact on their community, above and beyond anyone’s expectations.”
DCC Michael Banks, the Association of Chief Police Officers lead for Citizens in Policing,voiced his support for the national winners,saying:
“Neighbourhood Watch volunteers play a vital part in keeping communities safe and reducing crime. Police colleagues up and down the country are delighted to work with residents to make their areas safe and nice places to live, and really appreciate the hard work that people put in.”
[Insert local story about winner/highly commended finalist]
[Insert quotation from local dignitary]
[Insert quotation from winner/highly commended finalist or their representative]
A full list of winners and runners up can be found at
Notes to Editors
About the Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network (England and Wales):
The Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network (NHWN) is the official national organisation who represents the movement as a whole and is recognised and supported by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
Neighbourhood Watch and Home Watch members believe that everyone has a right to feel safe where they live. We promote that right by building strong, friendly, active communities where crime and anti-social behaviour are less likely to happen.
W: T: 0116 229 3118
You can read more details about all of the award finalists here:
The ten winners are as follows:
- Partnership Working Award – CHP. This charitable housing association in Essex has worked with Neighbourhood Watch on its new-build estates to reduce anti-social behaviour and build a sense of community.
- Outstanding Achievement Award (Scheme) – Doe Lea Neighbourhood Watch, Chesterfield. This scheme has provided sports court floodlighting and video equipment to young people in the area.
- Outstanding Achievement Award (Coordinator) – Peter Thomas, Barrow-in-Furness. Peter has worked tirelessly for local residents, providing security products and encouraging intergenerational working.
- Community Cohesion Award – Alan Pibworth, Buckinghamshire. Alan has worked with a range of local groups to reduce crime on his estate.
- National Database Award – Doreen Carruthers, Nottingham. Doreen has registered over 3,000 people onto the national Neighbourhood Watch database and is also active in Speed Watch in her area.
- Innovation Award – Gillian Atkinson, Burnley. Gillian established a ‘Youth News Team’ to film and report local events.
- Environmental Improvement Award – Owlthorpe Neighbourhood Watch, South Yorkshire. This scheme has done a huge amount of planting, trimming and litter picking and works with a local primary school to involve their pupils in improving the local environment.
- Community Courage Award – Sandra White, Bristol. As well as her Neighbourhood Watch scheme, Sandra runs a lunch club and is a strong supporter of the local community hall, as well as focusing on improving life for older residents in the area.
- Inspiring Youth Award – Julie Bascombe, Blackpool. Julie has set up a youth group, Bugs 2 Butterflies, in one of the most deprived areas of the North of England. She organises activities for them three times a week and last summer alone they went on over 20 trips.
- Safer Neighbourhoods Award – Graham Halliwell, Manchester. Graham works closely with the police and local authority, and has undertaken lots of successful crime reduction initiatives in his community.
The Chairman’s Award was given to Mark Jastrzebski of Knightstone in the West Midlands, and a Photography Award was given to Brian Aldred in appreciation of the photographic services he has provided on a voluntary basis to the Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales).
Congratulations are also due to Highly Commended finalists Inspector Paul Morgan (Partnership Working), Anthony Dutton (Outstanding Achievement – Scheme), Eric Tindall (Outstanding Achievement – Coordinator), Oscar Hubert (Community Cohesion), Pete Foggin (National Database), Margaret and Mike Vaughan-Chatfield (Innovation), Littlehampton Town Ward & District Neighbourhood Watch Association (Environmental Improvement), Jackie and Glyn Edwards (Community Courage), Kids Club Ushaw Moor (Inspiring Youth), and Jo Hillman, Peter Bradbury and Lee Jones (Safer Neighbourhoods).
Regional contacts for media enquiries are as follows:
- East of England – Colleen Atkins,
- East Midlands – Marion Lewis, Tel: 07775 858425
- London – Alf Kennedy,
- North East – Pete Foggin,
- North West – Dr John Perkins,
- South East – Val McPherson, Tel: 07815 144691
- South West – Wendy Hull, Tel: 07798 600822
- West Midlands – Lizzie Clarke, Tel: 01926 770010
- Yorkshire & Humberside – John Hallows,
Patrons | The Lord Blair of Boughton QPM | Alec Shelbrooke MP| Peter James
Company No. 7592594 Charity No. 1142 74