Residents across South Gloucestershire are being invited to nominate for an award those who do great work in their communities to help tackle anti-social behaviour.
South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) has launched the Strong, Safer Communities Awards 2011 and is looking to praise and reward people whose commitment and hard work in helping protect their neighbourhoods often goes unrecognised in their wider community.
Cllr Heather Goddard, executive member for communities, said: “South Gloucestershire is a safe place to live and work and these awards celebrate all those people who are helping keep it that way. The need for our residents to be safe in their communities is a priority for this council and our success in tackling anti-social behaviour is down to the support and hard work of residents which often goes unseen and unrewarded. The Strong, Safer Communities Awards give us the chance to highlight the work they do and also gives their neighbours the opportunity to say ‘thank you’.”
Overall, the level of crime in South Gloucestershire is low compared with the national average, and as a result of on-going work by the council-led anti-social behaviour team working with its partners and communities, this year, 30% less residents feel that anti-social behaviour is a problem in their area than last year.
The awards, which are being sponsored by UWE (University of the West of England) and Knightstone Housing Association, include categories to nominate young people, professionals, individuals, groups and projects who have helped the council and its partners tackle anti social behaviour. Examples of the kind of actions that could be considered through the awards include:
- Young people involved in a graffiti removal project
- A group of residents working together to set up a community project to deal with a particular local problem for example a local clean up
- Individual who has provided evidence in Court proceedings
- A professional, which might include a police officer or housing officer, who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to improve the area for local people.
To nominate someone for an award, visit the Strong Safer Communities Awards page on the SGC website or call 01454 868582 for nomination forms.
Deadline for nominations is Friday 13th May. The awards ceremony will be held at UWE on the evening of Thursday 9th June.
Source: South Gloucestershire Council
