Police boss calls on public for help in honouring unsung crime-fighting heroes

A police boss is asking for the public’s help to honour unsung crime-fighting heroes of the community.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones has just launched his Community Awards to recognise people and groups who help police to keep their neighbourhood a peaceful and safe place to live and work and who help in rehabilitating offenders.

And he is inviting members of the public to send him their own nominations for the main accolade on offer, the coveted People’s Award.

The aim of this award is to highlight and honour an individual or community group who have made a strong contribution towards community safety and crime prevention.

It is the only one of the awards which is nominated directly by members of the public using an online form. The closing date for nominations is Monday, April 24.

The other categories are Community Champion, Victims’ Champion, Rehabilitation Award, Equality and Diversity Award, Young People’s Award, Outstanding Achievement Award, Welsh Language Champion, Drug Intervention and Anti-Slavery Champion.

Mr Jones, a former police inspector, said: “To mark the completion of my first year in office I  have decided to host a community awards ceremony to celebrate and publicise some of the amazing work carried out within the communities of North Wales.

“I am proud to have served the people of North Wales as a police officer, a county councillor and now as police and crime commissioner.

“I have experienced at first hand the work and effort some members of the community put into helping the police and making North Wales a better, safer place to be.

“The People’s Award will go to an individual or group who have made an impact in helping to keep people safe and/or to reduce crime. 

“This contribution may impact the whole area, a local town, neighbourhood or even street, but it will have made a difference to the people living and working there.

“It could be someone who is working to bring communities together to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, or is working with people to deter and reduce offending.

“While I will select most of the award recipients myself in consultation with my office, the People’s Award is special in that it is the only one which will be nominated directly by the public.

“I am therefore asking for the assistance of the people of North Wales to help me select a suitable candidate for this particular award.

“If you know someone in your community who has gone that extra mile to prevent or reduce crime, protect and support members of the community or generally helped to make North Wales a safer place to live and work, please nominate them for the People’s Award. 

The winners of the People’s Award and the other PCC Community Awards will receive their honours in front of police and civic leaders at a presentation at the Kinmel Manor Hotel in Abergele on the evening of Thursday, May 18. 

To nominate your choice for the People’s Award, go the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s website at www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk to complete and return the online form.  Alternatively you can download the form, complete it and return it to The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Glan-y-Don, Colwyn Bay, LL29 8AW, or by email to opcc@nthwales.pnn.police.uk  by the closing date Monday, April 24.