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At an event in Wrexham AFC’s Racecourse ground, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin recently presented John 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.
The trophy was presented as part of the PCC’s wider Community Awards scheme, which recognises 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 for the award saw police officers, staff, and volunteers from North Wales Police put forward suggestions of people they have worked with in the community as winners.
John Widdowson and Wrexham AFC Community Trust were recognised for the work they have been doing as part of the wider Safer Streets initiative for Wrexham, where they have been working with Wrexham County Borough 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.
John 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, John’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. This was a real engagement opportunity in a space where the young people came to both learn and be heard.
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin, commented: “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.
“Ensuring a positive outcome from community initiatives such as this takes commitment, caring and a genuine interest in the community. As Commissioner, I am grateful for community support from people such a John, who actively help to solve issues within the community and work closely with the police to reduce and prevent crime.”
The Safer Community award was sponsored by Spillane & Co. Wealth Management, who donated £250 to further the work of John Widdowson and the Community Trust among young people in Wrexham.
John Widdowson, Head of Community, Wrexham AFC Community Trust, commented: “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 for 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.
“We’re looking forward to our collaboration continuing in the future and know that there is still much work to do to ensure that positive opportunities and activities take place to engage and inspire our communities to fulfil their potential.”
Acting Inspector Claire McGrady, Wrexham City Police, commented “Wrexham city police is proud of our relationship with the Club’s Community Trust in making the area safer and in reducing ASB among young people. The outreach work we have done is part of the wider Safer Streets initiative to make Wrexham a place that can be enjoyed by everyone in safety and security, whether on match days or on any other day. Community engagement is also a great way of encouraging the younger members of our community to become more active in sport and other diversionary activities. 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.”
Nicola Harrison, Operations Manager from Spillane & Co. commented: ““We feel honoured to again be supporting the Police and Crime Commissioner’s community awards. Community engagement is so important and specifically the work of the people acknowledged here.
“We are delighted to be involved in some small way in recognising the work of John Widdowson and Wrexham AFC, the support and engagement that has been given to the youth as part of this initiative is so valuable.”