Crimebusters win top prize (From Stroud News and Journal)

Crimebusters win top prize

A TROUBLED estate is enjoying a double celebration this week after wining two top government awards for its fight against crime.

Paula Hiles of the Mason Road Residents' Association received a surprise call from the Home Office to say she had been chosen as one of 500 winners of the Government's Taking A Stand scheme. She was nominated by Stroud's anti-social behaviour co-ordinator Colin Peake.

Mr Peake also scooped one of the acclaimed accolades - which brings with it £1,000 for improvements.

Two years ago, Mrs Hiles, 32, started a Neighbourhood Watch group which has transformed Stroud's Mason Road.

She was delighted the group's hard work had been recognised.

"We've been looked down on for so many years and I feel very proud because people are really impressed with the turn-around up here," she said.

"We had a really bad name in the community for problems with vandalism and drugs and the youths ran riot."

A group of six committee members was formed - three of whom are still active.

"It's really community spirited now," said Mrs Hiles, a mother of two. "We collect and sell raffle tickets and have regular meetings to try to get more people involved."

Mr Peake was recognised for his commitment to dealing with a wide range of issues, including recently handing out the first ASBO warning notice for members of a hunt group after its hounds trespassed on land at Elcombe.

"I am delighted but when I first had the call I was a bit upset because I hadn't realised at the time that Mason Road had also won," he said.

Paul Helbrow, community safety manager at Stroud District Council, said: "For the first time the awards were chosen by last year's winners and it is pleasing to see that rural areas have not been overlooked." All winners will receive their awards and money this summer.