Community Policing Awards

Neighbourhood Team of the Year

The Lyncombe Neighbourhood Team being presented with thier award by Andy Wright, Editor of the Western Daily Press, and BCC Dragon's Den investor Deborah Meaden.

The 2009 award was won by the Lyncombe Beat Team (Bath and North East Somerset).

I'm absolutely delighted for the team – this really is the icing on the cake. We've worked hard to get closer to communities and it has paid dividends.

"PCSOs have been out, engaging with communities and now see us as a friend. The team are a credit to the force and I feel very proud. There will definitely be an extra special buzz in the team now, driving us forward for next year.

PC Martyn Bridges

PCSO Andrew Brooks said: "We've increased our presence in the community and made ourselves as accessible as possible. This Increased contact and visibility has helped make people feel safe where they live, which is great. Receiving this award is brilliant news and we're all very pleased."

Odd Down residents Violet and Hugh Mackay, who nominated the team, attended the ceremony to see the team collect their award.

Hugh said: "We've seen such changes over the years. Eight years ago we started a Neighbourhood Watch group, with around 30 people, and now there are 250 in the scheme. There were problems with young people stealing expensive flower pots, throwing eggs and vandalising things.

"The policing team have worked very hard with us to stop this. They know the patch really well. They are very visible and really care.

"We were inspired to nominate the team when we had no crime at all over a period of three months – no burglaries or local crime at all. It's great to be part of the awards – you feel part of a bigger whole."

The 2009 nominees were:

Henbury and Brentry Beat Team
Downend and Siston Beat Team
Lyncombe Beat Team
Chard Avishayes Beat Team
Taunton Business Improvement District (BID) Team
Milton and Worle Beat Team

About the award

Neighbourhood Teams comprise Police Officers, PCSOs and Special Constables. The team puts communities – their needs, their issues and their priorities – at the heart of local policing to deliver a sense of security and belonging that communities desire and deserve.

The winner will be a Neighbourhood Team which has provided the community with a highly visible presence and reassurance, and has worked tirelessly with that community to reduce crime and improve the quality of life for all.

Award Criteria for panel short listing:

A team who, on a day-to-day basis, has personal contact with their local community. They offer visible reassurance to their communities and improve the quality of life of local people.
The team cuts crime and reduces the fear of crime in their area by gathering intelligence, arresting offenders and providing practical crime prevention advice.
The team should be seen by the community as an essential element in the life of the neighbourhood, providing a shining example of the difference effective neighbourhood policing can make.