Residents take a stand against crime

Six individuals from across the District could be rewarded for the positive action they have taken against anti-social behaviour in their local communities after being nominated for the Home Office’s prestigious ‘Taking a Stand’ awards.

The individuals, who come from Swanley, Edenbridge, Westerham and Hartley, collected evidence on criminal damage, personal threats, vehicle crime, assault, drug dealing and abuse, excessive noise, and graffiti and worked with the authorities to target the individuals who were responsible.

The nominations were made on Tuesday 10 January and have been put forward by West Kent Police, West Kent Housing and Sevenoaks District Council, who are part of the Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership, which brings together all the agencies in the District that can have an effect on reducing crime.

The ‘Taking a Stand’ awards are held annually and allow residents and agencies to nominate individuals or groups that have taken action against anti-social behaviour. A panel chaired by the Home Office will judge all the entries, and 500 winners will be invited to attend an award ceremony in one of five regions in March. All winners will be presented with £1,000 to help them do more to tackle anti-social behaviour locally.

The Home Office will announce the winners during February.

Cllr Keith Loney, Sevenoaks District Council's Cabinet member with responsibility for Community Safety, says: “The Community Safety Partnership is all about reducing crime and the fear of crime and all of these individuals have demonstrated considerable courage to help prevent and bring an end to continuing problems in their communities.”

Chief Inspector Simon Wilshaw, Chairman of the Sevenoaks District Anti-Social Behaviour Task Group, adds: “The Taking a Stand awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise the efforts of members of the community who have been willing to challenge anti-social behaviour where they live.”

Barbara Thorndick, Chief Executive of West Kent Housing, says: “The Partnership takes anti-social behavior very seriously and we’re proud to nominate these individuals who’ve shown they’re not prepared to tolerate crime and disorder in their neighbourhoods. We hope this will inspire others to work with the Partnership in tackling these problems."

At the last ‘Taking a Stand’ awards, held in December 2004, all four nominations from the Community Safety Partnership were successful in scooping the £1,000 prizes.

More information about the Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership is available on the Council’s website www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/communitysafety or by contacting the Community Safety Team on 01732 227000 or by e-mailing community.safety@sevenoaks.gov.uk.