This category celebrates volunteers who support their neighbours to be stronger, more resilient, and safer by raising awareness of crime prevention. It is for people who might have done something different to help prevent crime in their communities, and to help people feel safer. This could be working with youth groups, supporting vulnerable people to be more aware of crime, developing inventive ways to reduce crime or a fear of crime in the community.
Our winner: Reg Banks
Reginald’s nomination:
Reg takes a very active role in his Neighbourhood Watch group to ensure that everyone and every household is protected from criminal activity, whether it be through prevention activities or supporting those who have experienced criminal activity. He has been very successful encouraging households in his area to join local neighbourhood schemes and acts as a conduit with local police providing them with information and feeding back to his neighbourhood with information police want the local community to have.
Reg organises regular street patrols in his area and focuses on supporting those less able than himself including those who are vulnerable or at risk. Examples include providing anti burglary advice, looking out for households who have gone on holiday, and also helping those who are ill or have mobility issues. He attends local police meetings and feeds back the views of his area on police activities.
Since setting up the neighbourhood schemes in his area, Reg has become a very valuable member of the community. His friendly and supportive nature as well as knowledge of local and police issues has ensured that households feel safer and have greater awareness of the work of the police and how neighbourhood watch can protect communities leading to reduced crime and safer streets.