A POLICE boss has praised a community leader and his team for their efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour in the community.
The Leader reported recently how Wrexham AFC Community Trust and John Widdowson, the club's head of community, were dubbed heroes at an awards event held by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin.
Mr Dunbobbin has since presented Mr Widdowson and the club’s Community Trust with a Safer Community Award for the work they have been doing to reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the city.
July 3-9 is also national ASB Awareness Week, which aims to raise awareness of ASB, offer advice on how and who to report it, and to understand people’s rights as victims of ASB.
As part of the Safer Streets initiative for Wrexham, Mr Widdowson and Wrexham AFC Community Trust have been working with Wrexham Council and North Wales Police to deliver a series of initiatives to address ASB among young people on Match Day and associated City Centre ASB.
The Safer Streets Fund is a £75 million Home Office programme that encourages Police and Crime Commissioners and local authorities to bid for investment for initiatives to prevent neighbourhood crime across England and Wales.
Mr Widdowson has taken part in events to engage young people in conversations, workshops and activities which challenge them to think about their actions when in the community and the club also played host to a unique intervention day.
As the club has a special place in the community, Mr Widdowson's role helped to ensure the breakdown of any barriers to those involved.
North Wales Police and the Youth Justice Service teams provided sessions with the young people on a number of themes including actions, consequences and responsibility.
Mr 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. Our communities are all the richer, and all the stronger, for their work.
“While there are a number of partners working together to support the wider reduction in ASB in Wrexham, the efforts of John Widdowson stand out over a sustained period of time. He has been integral to community engagement and creating positive opportunities for young people to engage with Wrexham AFC."
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Mr Widdowson, said: “We’re extremely proud to receive this award, we would like to thank the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, and Spillane & Co. Wealth Management (who sponsored the award).
“Wrexham AFC Community Trust prides itself on the work it does in the community and that work doesn’t happen without the collaboration of partners such as North Wales Police, and Wrexham AFC we are extremely grateful to them for all their support."
Acting Inspector Claire McGrady, of Wrexham City Police, said: “Football is such a huge part of our identity in Wrexham, both as a city and as a community, and it’s great that success on the pitch is being matched by success on the streets in reducing ASB.”
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