Awards ceremony to recognise volunteers and Neighbourhood Watch (Forcewide)

An awards ceremony has been held to recognise the work of the Neighbourhood Watch and Police Volunteers.

The awards, held during Neighbourhood Watch week, were given to volunteers and neighbourhood watch schemes who have provided excellent support the Avon and Somerset Constabulary. Four people received Volunteers in Policing Long Service Awards while others received awards in categories including Best New neighbourhood Watch scheme, Dedication to Neighbourhood Watch and Problem Solving in Neighbourhood Watch.

Ken and Geraldine Hand received the Dedication to Neighbourhood Watch 2009 award. They started their Neighbourhood Watch in Mead and Bovington Road (South Gloucestershire) in 1993 with the intention of building up the community and it now covers 45 households. They spend time raising awareness of Neighbourhood Watch and as a result several other Neighbourhood Watches have been introduced in the area.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Mrs Hand said: "Neighbourhood Watch has brought us all together and now we even look out for each other's pets as well as people's houses when they go on holiday. I think we have kept crime down a little bit too." Mr Hand added: "We look out for the older people in our area and they always come to us whenever they need help. Neighbourhood Watch is a very worth while activity."

Roy Ball from Portbury Neighbourhood Watch won the award for Proactive Neighbourhood Watch 2009. The Neighbourhood Watch scheme has made a difference in a number of ways; by reporting suspicious activity to the police, by identifying vulnerable residents and involving them in a Bogus Caller scheme and by working with the District and Parish councils to tackle problems with street lighting and overgrown hedges. The action taken makes the area a less attractive place for thieves.

Roy, a retired police officer with 30 years service, said: "I moved to a village without a Neighbourhood Watch scheme and I started one in 1991 after a spate of burglaries. When I was in the police force I always liked helping people especially providing reassurance to victims of crime. I just like helping people and can do this through the Neighbourhood Watch. It is very important for Portbury that work is recognised. I am over the moon because it is only a small place and you think you have gone unnoticed.

"Joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme is the best thing you can do - if you feel you need protection Neighbourhood Watch can be the first step towards that as there is always someone to look out for you."

June Hill received a long service award for her volunteering in Burnham-on-Sea. Speaking about the award, June said: "As a volunteer my role is to look at crimes that happen each week in different beats. I compile lists and send them to officers so that the problems can be addressed. I started volunteering after getting fed up by people saying the police do nothing. I wanted to be able to speak to my Neighbourhood Watch about the problems the police face and what they need people to do to make things better. It helps fight crime to so I like to think I've done a bit."

Kieran Vile, the longest serving volunteer having started in 2005, said on receiving his award: "I am delighted to accept the award. It means a lot and I hope it encourages other people to volunteer. I would like to thank everyone I work with - I have been made to feel very welcome."

The awards were presented by Chief Superintendent Nikki Watson who said: "Neighbourhood Watches and volunteers both have an important contribution to make. They provide valuable support to the police service and I know officers welcome the opportunity to work closely with the schemes in their area. I am pleased that we have recognised some of the good work that is going on across Avon and Somerset and I congratulate all those people who won awards today."

For information on volunteering and joining or setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme please contact Avon and Somerset Constabulary by ringing 0845 456 7000 or visiting www.avonandsomerset.police.uk.

The full list of winners are:

Dedication to Neighbourhood Watch
Ken and Geraldine Hand, South Gloucestershire

Proactive Neighbourhood Watch
Portbury Neighbourhood Watch, North Somerset

Overall Achievement
Uphill Neighbourhood Watch, North Somerset

Best New Neighbourhood Watch Scheme
Lympsham and Eastertown Neighbourhood Watch, North Somerset

Neighbourhood Watch Partnership Award
Peter Flowers, Yeovil

Problem Solving in Neighbourhood Watch
Peter Sellwood, Bath

Volunteers in Policing Long Service Award
Kieran Vile, Olwen Taylor, June Hill, Allan Best, John Jewsbury, Vivien Jewsbury, Bernard Brook