Crime Reduction - Helping to Reduce Crime in Your Area

The Taking a Stand Awards are all about recognising those who have tackled anti-social behaviour in their area. Up to 30 awards of £1,000, plus the top award of £5,000 are waiting to be won each year, and spent for the benefit of local communities across England and Wales.

2003 winners

The following winners won awards at the 2003 ceremony, which was the first year the awards have been held. Click here for information on the 2004 nominations.

• Dean Street Residents

• Janet Chisholm - Middlewich Clean Team

• Linda Mitchell - Firearms Awareness Scheme

Residents of Dean St, Mather St and Dalton St, Failsworth, Oldham

For a number of years the residents of Dean Street were subject to anti-social behaviour – including people urinating in the street, riding mopeds on the pavement, smashing bottles and shouting abuse. The residents referred the problems to the anti-social behaviour team in the local authority, collected evidence and said they would attend court to give evidence. Unfortunately, the problems got worse. Property was damaged and the abusive and threatening language became more frequent. The residents remained determined and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) were given to the three ringleaders of the group.

“Today most of the problems have quietened down” says Samantha. “We have been busy making environmental improvements, landscaping, planting flowers and trees. The area has improved and there is not nearly as much litter around. We have good relations with the police – they have dedicated officers in the area who will not be taken away for other duties. We are having a fun day soon when a piece of waste ground which is being improved will be renamed and we are also going to sponsor an under 7’s football team. “We now have youth workers out on the street contacting young people. The Taking A Stand Award has made people aware that there is support out there and things can be done. It’s a great way of recognising what we and other people throughout the country are doing.”

Janet Chisholm
Middlewich Clean Team, Middlewich, Cheshire

Middlewich suffers from problems of litter, graffiti, vandalism and general nuisance. Janet and a number of local residents approached the council to offer their services to improve the town’s landscape and environment.

“We have made presentations to every school in Middlewich and we have bought them pencil shaped litter bins. Along with local Brownies and Scouts we have planted 1000 crocuses and we are working on a wooded area with the kids in their school grounds. We encourage young people to join in all our activities and we have our own web site www.middlewich-cleanteam.co.uk. The Taking A Stand Award has inspired us, it has given us a springboard. The team have expanded to over 70. We are not just about litter, it is the whole environment.”

Linda Mitchell
Firearms Awareness Scheme, Roker, Sunderland

Linda’s son was shot in the face by an airgun 2 years ago. She now works full-time on the scheme and has raised awareness of the dangers of gun misuse.

Linda has spoken to people on the streets of the North East. She encouraged MPs, media, press and other organisations to take part in a press conference at the House of Commons. “We have been working on a video with www.missdorothy.com. It will go to every school in the country warning children about firearms. The Taking A Stand Award has made a great difference to me personally. It has helped give recognition that the issue is important and the support I have received is amazing.”

Visit the Taking A Stand website