A security team at a Welsh shopping centre, have received a Home Office ‘Taking A Stand’ award, for work against anti-social behaviour.
Home Office Minister for Crime Reduction Hazel Blears and BBC Crimewatch presenter Fiona Bruce, presented the award at a ceremony in London on December 1.
Chris Morgan, OCS security manager at the Aberafan Shopping Centre in Port Talbot, manages a team of contracted security guards on the site. The award recognises the team and their instrumental role in establishing an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) Scheme at the centre. Working with South Wales Police, Chris and his team developed the scheme, which identifies individuals who commit anti-social behaviour and prevents them becoming a persistent nuisance. Problems at the centre included teenagers loitering on the premises and vandalism. Now the team is able to prevent offenders entering the centre and works with local police to bring about and enforce ASBOs. The team has also been working with local schools to educate head teachers and children in order to prevent future anti-social behaviour.
Aberafan Shopping Centre manager, Steve Redmore, said: "The Anti-Social Behaviour Scheme has been a great success, and we have seen a 75pc reduction in crime. Since OCS won the security contract for the centre we have been very impressed with what has been achieved, and in particular Chris has worked tirelessly to identify areas where improvements can be made. Everyone at Aberafan feels that his team thoroughly deserve this award."
In 2003 the British Crime Survey identified that 22pc of the public perceived there to be a high level of disorder in their local area, a marked increase on previous figures. Anti-social behaviour covers everything from vandalism and graffiti to dumping rubbish and noisy neighbours.
The Home Office ‘Taking a Stand’ awards acknowledge members of the public who make an effort to improve their local community by tackling anti-social behaviour either directly or indirectly.
OCS chief executive, Chris Cracknell, said: "OCS is very proud of this award and of all the team’s achievements. We are delighted that they have been able to achieve this success within our organisation. They are held in very high regard by the management team at Aberafan and are an inspiration to all their colleagues within OCS Security and the company as a whole.” Visit www.ocs.co.uk
