Scottish Government

This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Standing Up to Antisocial Behaviour Awards

25/10/2006

Community wardens, residents and young people who took a stand against antisocial behaviour and helped reclaim their streets were among those honoured at an awards ceremony at Edinburgh Castle.

The Standing Up to Antisocial Behaviour Awards, now in their second year, are organised by the Scottish Executive and sponsored by the Co-op.

The efforts of 16 groups and individuals were recognised at the event by Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson and Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry.

The awards aim to recognise the drive, courage and commitment of those who have helped challenge the behaviour of others and encouraged a renewed culture of respect and community spirit in their local areas.

There were four award categories - 'above and beyond', local groups or projects, individuals, and young people - each with one overall winner picking up £5,000 to spend on tackling antisocial behaviour in their area, and three further recipients of £1,000.

Mr Henry said:

"Two years ago we introduced new powers, backed by significant resources, for police and local authorities to tackle antisocial behaviour in their communities.

"This has been a priority for Ministers because it has been a priority for Scotland's people.

"We know that crime is falling, that we have more police than ever before and that they are clearing up more crimes.

"But what is not always obvious, or at least recognised, is the role that ordinary members of the public play in tackling crime and antisocial behaviour, together with community wardens, teachers, project and youth workers and young people themselves.

"There were more than 100 entries for this year's awards and behind these nominations are many stories of commitment, determination and often great courage.

"The actions of these people have helped restore a culture of respect in communities up and down the country, helping us all to build a safer, stronger Scotland."

The awards were presented as follows:

ABOVE AND BEYOND CATEGORY

• Abbeyview Junior Wardens Scheme, Dunfermline, Fife
• Elaine Webster, Headteacher, Auchenlodment Primary School, Johnstone, Renfrewshire
• Kirkcaldy High School, Fife
• Renfrewshire Neighbourhood Wardens (Category winners)

The wardens, who are based in Ferguslie Park and work across Paisley and other parts of Renfrewshire, have gone above and beyond the call of duty by establishing and supporting several innovative projects including: creating a junior wardens' board game, organising outdoor activities for young people, raising funds for a local youth club and transforming an overgrown community garden.

Kathy Tooke, Renfrewshire's neighbourhood warden co-ordinator, said:

"All the projects that the wardens have been involved in demonstrate how they are there to help the wider community.

"They are doing things over and above what their expected role is and their work on these projects helps them build up relationships with the kids and the rest of the community.

"The presence and work of the neighbourhood wardens has also seen reductions in vehicle crime, housebreaking, vandalism and fire-raising."

LOCAL GROUP AND PROJECT CATEGORY

• Association of the Residents of Cliffburn & Hayshead, Arbroath, Angus
• Generation Youth, Newarthill, Lanarkshire
• Upper Nithsdale Youthwork Forum, Sanquhar, Dumfries & Galloway
• Dochcarty Residents Association, Dingwall, Highlands (Category winners)

Following months of incidents when Dochcarty's residents were harassed and targeted by vandalism, graffiti, noise nuisance etc, the residents set up the association. They were instrumental in providing evidence for the creation of a dispersal zone which saw a dramatic drop in the number of incidents reported. Their work, including community clean-ups involving young people, has also led to #10,000 worth of improvements in the area, including better access and lighting.

Dochcarty Residents Association chair Anne Logie said:

"So many people were just sick and tired of what was going on. The dispersal zone gave us the breathing space and the motivation to be less tolerant of antisocial behaviour.

"People are now talking more to each other, we feel the police are listening to us and there's a strong sense of community that wasn't there before."

YOUNG PEOPLE CATEGORY

• Tullibody Junior Challenge Group, Clackmannanshire
• Tullos Primary Eco-Council, Aberdeen
• Zone 98, Tarves, Aberdeenshire
• Tranent Football Project, East Lothian (Category winners)

A group of young people who had been labelled a negative influence in the area came together to make a positive contribution to their community. With the support of their youth worker they undertook a graffiti and litter clean-up in and around the local football ground and, after initial training sessions, began organising games with other teams. They were also instrumental in the creation of a drop-in centre and have held informal meetings with councillors, police and careers officers. They have also volunteered to carry out leaflet drops for the health visitor and two members are now considering joining the community council.

East Lothian Neighbourhood Outreach Co-ordinator Douglas Ormston said:

"By spending their time voluntarily in a constructive and positive manner, these young men have shown a willingness to be actively involved in both helping improve and taking an active part in their community.

"They have also participated in weekly football training sessions which they asked for and then helped to set up and organise, so this gave them and their peers a positive way to channel their energies."

INDIVIDUALS CATEGORY

• Betty Watson, Edinburgh
• Elma Mitchell, Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire
• Lorna Arthur, Edinburgh
• Morag Buck, Alva, Clackmannanshire (Category winner)

Over two years Mrs Buck worked closely with the council's ASB team and the police, including providing evidence which led to residents of a local property who had subjected their neighbours to loud music, swearing and other offences, being served with an ASBO and ultimately evicted.

Mrs Buck said:

"There were a few of us who pursued this, but often I was the person available to help and I am very persistent.

"Ultimately the biggest reward is the peace we now have, people can go about their own business and children are now playing in the street - they simply couldn't do that before."

Stuart McQueen, neighbourhood investigations officer with Clackmannanshire antisocial behaviour Liaison and Mediation (CALM) team, added:

"It takes great courage to actually come forward and approach an authority to complain about antisocial behaviour, particularly where you may have been directly subject to that.

"Morag encouraged others to stand up to antisocial behaviour and so more people were reassured that other members of their community were tacking action as well."

Congratulating all of the winners, Martin Beaumont, Group Chief Executive of the Co-operative Group, said:

"Antisocial behaviour blights many communities, however, it is encouraging that so many people are working very hard to tackle the problem. The recipients of these awards are inspiring examples of what can be done and they have our full support.

"The Co-op has again been delighted to sponsor The Standing Up to Antisocial Behaviour Awards scheme as part of our continuing efforts to tackle the problems of crime and antisocial behaviour."

Background

The Standing Up to Antisocial Behaviour Awards Scheme 2006 was launched by Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson on April 24 and has been organised by the Scottish Executive in partnership with the Co-op.

With the exception of the young people category, the 16 award winners were selected by a judging panel comprising representatives of the Scottish Executive's Safer Communities Division, the Co-operative Group, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, Auchenback Residents Association, Sighthill Library (previous winner), Antisocial Behaviour Officers Forum and Victim Support Scotland. The young people category was adjudicated by Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament, Youth Co-operative Member's Network and previous award-winners.

Each of the four category award winners received £5,000 to spend on an activity to tackle antisocial behaviour in their area, while the other 12 winners picked up £1,000 to support similar work.