A team of Durham teenagers beat off fierce competition to win Britain’s top crime prevention award, it was announced today.
A team of Durham teenagers beat off fierce competition to win Britain’s top crime prevention award, it was announced today.
The Brandon Youth Project – which consists of seven teenagers aged between 12 and 16 – has been named the Norwich Union Neighbourhood Watch national award winner at a ceremony in Nottingham, attended by the Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth MP.
The students, who also won the ‘Home Secretary Award for Young People’, were presented with a winning cheque of Ł1,000 for their scheme, and a commemorative plaque.
Winning students - Emma Lawson, Lynsey Hind, Jodie Nattrass, Scott Nattrass, Lee Tobin, John Kidd and Dwayne Heslington - impressed judges with their innovative programme to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour amongst the youth of Brandon, as well as improve relations with adults and authorities.
The Brandon Youth Project was one of 300 entries in this year’s Norwich Union Neighbourhood Watch Awards, and they are the first group of young people to win the National award. They are supported by youth worker Lynne Readman.
Brandon, a former mining town, has suffered from a high incidence of unemployment, youth nuisance, crime and anti- social behaviour among young people.
Through fundraising activities such as a 24-hour lock-in and bag packing at the local Sainsbury’s, The Brandon Youth Project has greatly improved facilities in the community. Some of their achievements include the establishment of a junior youth club, which has grown to 120 people in the last year, a senior drop-in centre and better access to sports facilities to give kids ‘something worthwhile to do’.
Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth MP, Home Office, said: "I am delighted to be able to recognise and reward the outstanding efforts of the young people of Brandon to improve their community and provide activities to divert their peers from crime and anti- social behaviour. They are excellent role models and fully deserve the recognition of this award."
John Howell, director general of the National Neighbourhood Watch Association, said: “The Norwich Union Neighbourhood Watch Awards have brought to light some fantastic talent this year – and it is very encouraging to see the work young people are doing to build safer communities. The innovative work the students in Brandon continue to carry out is testament to all Neighbourhood Watch members across the country.”
Ben Welsh, director of communications and marketing services for Norwich Union Insurance, said: “This is the seventh year that Norwich Union has supported the awards. While there can be only one national winner, all of the finalists have played a very important role in combating crime in their local areas and we congratulate them for their efforts.
“It is members at grass roots level who are key to the Neighbourhood Watch Association’s success and we’re delighted to be able to honour their hard work.”
The Norwich Union Neighbourhood Watch Awards are open to all members from the nation’s 155,000 Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
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Notes to Editors:
- Neighbourhood Watch was set up in the UK in 1982 and has grown rapidly ever since. There are now 155,000 NW schemes covering over 6 million homes. This makes it the largest voluntary movement in the UK. NNWA is the national charity that supports, promotes and represents Neighbourhood Watch in the UK.
- The Norwich Union Neighbourhood Watch Awards 2001 are sponsored by Norwich Union in association with BBC Local Radio, the Home Office, the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Local Government Association. The judging panel will include representatives of all the supporting organisations.
- Norwich Union is the UK’s largest insurer, insuring 1 in 5 households.
- Norwich Union Insurance Limited. Registered in England Number 99122 Registered Office 8 Surrey Street Norwich NR1 3NG
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Gabrielle Brewer or Matt Buchanan at QBO on (020) 7379 0304 or 07939 347 293 (Gabrielle) or 0780 350 1804 (Matt)
Liz Kennett/Jenny Chapman at the Norwich Union Press Office on 08703 666 863.