Wednesday 23rd September 2009

NATIONAL CRIMEBEAT AWARDS
THE ROYAL NATIONAL HOTEL, LONDON.

10.00am

I was very pleased when I arrived, to meet The High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Christian Wewer, and also the High Sheriff Elect for Cumbria, James Carr.

After speeches given by Nigel Burgess and Tony Harratt, we were introduced to the winners of the Awards.

First prize was awarded to:
YOUNG PIONEERS:
Is a charity run by young people, for young people, to enable other young people to make a difference. The aim is to make it 'cool to care' and to help young people advance in life by improving their social welfare and developing their key skills so they can become mature and responsible individuals.

Second prize to:
MC ROCKERS:
whose primary aim was to raise the awareness of the dangers of young people carrying knives within the Rotherham area of South Yorkshire following the increase of knife crime nationally in recent years and the media attention following this rise.

and then -

Third prize to:
CHOICES:
Wilsthorpe Business and Enterprise College in Long Eaton has an excellent reputation for producing documentary films about Derbyshire and was commissioned by Derbyshire Police and Crimebeat to produce a film concerning young people. 'Choices' focuses on the problems of street robbery, particularly involving mobile 'phones, showing how these items can be attractive to potential thieves and how young people can pr3event themselves being victims.

All the young people in each of these Groups were most impressive and had obviously learnt a great deal from what they had done.

The whole morning was very worthwhile, and we were able to use the Conference Room and eat an excellent lunch, by courtesy of the Owner of The Royal National Hotel.