Caerphilly Community Safety Wardens
Gwent Police volunteers were recognised at an awards ceremony held at the House of Commons yesterday (Monday June 23rd, 2014).
Now in their 21st year, the Lord Ferrers Awards recognise the outstanding contribution of Special Constables and Police support volunteers. Home Secretary Theresa May and Policing Minister Damian Green presented the awards.
Special Inspector Christine Smith won the Lord Ferrers Special Constabulary Award. The Employer Supported Policing Award was awarded to the team of Community Safety Wardens at Caerphilly County Borough Council.
Christine, who works in the Caerphilly County Borough area, won the award for her implementation of the ‘Making a Difference Project’ – a project for children in her community which is aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour. The project has involved over 600 local children participating in all aspects of implementing a police community show. This has shown to improve relationships between youngsters and the community and give the children a greater knowledge of their local officers and also, build trust and confidence. The project will now be implemented across the force.
The Community Safety Wardens at Caerphilly County Borough Council have been accredited through the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme since 2006. The scheme is run by Gwent Police. The Wardens have provided community policing support, engagement with the local residents as well as directly tackling enviro-crime issues and also running a Junior Community Safety Warden scheme in primary schools.
Assistant Chief Constable of Gwent Police Lorraine Bottomley said:
“Id like to congratulate both Christine and the Community Safety Wardens in Caerphilly on this amazing effort to win these prestigious national awards.
“We greatly appreciate the efforts of all our volunteers who make an outstanding contribution to everyday policing and their communities and it is only right they are recognised for their commitment and dedication”
Leeanne Husselbee, the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme Co-ordinator for Gwent Police said:
“I would like to offer my congratulations to the Community Safety Wardens. This scheme is a fantastic example of partnership working that delivers excellent results. Well done to you all.”
Cllr David Poole, Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services said, “I am absolutely delighted for our team of Community Safety Wardens in being awarded this tremendous accolade. The wardens play a key, frontline role in working to make Caerphilly county borough an even safer place to live – through education, prevention, providing reassurance and undertaking enforcement action when necessary”.
He continued, “Our Community Safety Wardens also play an important supporting role to our colleagues at Gwent Police, and are consistently at the forefront of targeted multi-agency activity to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in our communities. My congratulations go to the team for this fantastic achievement”.
