A FOOTBALL club's community team and a shopper who tackled an offender have been dubbed heroes by a police boss.

The North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Awards Ceremony took place on Thursday, to celebrate the people across the region who help serve their communities and support the police in their work.

The event took place at the Quay Hotel and Spa in Deganwy and saw more than 100 guests come together from across the general public, police, emergency services, local and national politics, charities, and the wider third sector in North Wales.

The awards recognise the often-unsung local heroes who work in the background to support victims, support rehabilitation and reduce the likelihood and impact of crime across the region. The nomination process saw police officers, staff, and volunteers from North Wales Police put forward suggestions of people they have worked with in the community as winners.

The Safer Community Award (sponsored by Spillane & Co) was handed to John Widdowson and Wrexham AFC Community Trust.

As part of a wider Safer Streets initiative for Wrexham, Wrexham AFC Community Trust has been working with Wrexham Council and North Wales Police to deliver a series of initiatives that seek to address young person-related anti-social behaviour on Match Day and associated town centre anti-social behaviour.

The Leader reported last year how Mr Widdowson was appointed as the club’s new head of community.

The Victim’s Champion Award (sponsored by Unite the Union) was handed to Flintshire resident Paul Williams.

While out shopping, he was witness to an offence against a young victim. 

Without hesitation, he challenged and apprehended the suspect. Mr Williams told the suspect what he had witnessed and brought him to security where the police were called. 

The suspect was subsequently arrested.

The Leader: Image: OPCCImage: OPCC (Image: Submitted)

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He said: ‘’I am pleased to be receiving this award as it was totally unexpected.

"I just did what I felt was right at the time and I am glad it was helpful.’’

The Volunteer Award (sponsored by PMAS) was handed to the North Wales Mountain Rescue Association.

The nine member teams of NWMRA do an enormous service to residents and visitors in the region. 

In the last financial year, the region’s volunteer rescue teams answered 628 callouts. 

Almost 22,000 hours of volunteer team member time were dedicated to these callouts.

Tim Radford, chair, North Wales Mountain Rescue Association, said: “The North Wales Mountain Rescue Association represents the nine voluntary mountain, lowland, cave, and dog teams across North Wales. 

"We are the busiest region in the country, with 300 members that provide a completely voluntary search and rescue service on behalf of North Wales Police, with whom we have an excellent relationship."

The Rural and Wildlife Champion award (sponsored by the Farmers’ Union of Wales – Undeb Amaethwyr Cymru) was given to Tir Dewi's North Wales Team.

Tir Dewi is an organisation working within the rural community, offering advice and support to farmers and farmers’ families. 

This support covers different types of issues including practical advice, or peer support in respect of mental health, bereavement or isolation.

An Anti-Slavery Champion award (sponsored by ClwydAlyn) was given to Ali Ussery, of Haven of Light.

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Ali has been a constant beacon and relentlessly active when it comes to understanding and tackling modern slavery and trafficking in North Wales.

With many years of experience in international development work, she brought her expertise home to North Wales in 2013 helping to support and develop a new strategic modern slavery plan for the area.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin, said: “The people and organisations recognised in my Community Awards have gone beyond the expected, they have gone the extra mile to help, to support people, to champion justice, to bring peace to families, to reduce crime, to counsel and to be there.

"I thank all of them for their service, their effort and their care. Our communities are all the richer, and all the stronger, for their work.”