A project that led
to the closure of 25 brothels and crack houses and visibly reduced
prostitution in two residential areas of Northampton has won the
national Tilley Award 2010.
Operation Uncanny beat ten regional finalists to take first place
after introducing a number of innovative measures to tackle the
problem. This included local agencies working with the police and
the community to provide advice and support to encourage women to
leave prostitution, which led to the dramatic decline in the
number of sex workers in the Spring Boroughs and Semilong
residential areas of Northampton.
Second place was awarded to The Hyndburn Snooker Youth Club in
Lancashire, which saw a reduction in crime and disorder by
providing free snooker and other activities to young people.
Talking the Hardest, a project tackling gang related anti social
behaviour in Peckham town centre, was awarded third place. All ten
finalists were recognised for their partnership work in finding
solutions to problems affecting their local community at a
ceremony held in the House of Commons.
Minister for Crime Prevention James Brokenshire, said:
"By working together to find local solutions to local
problems these projects are excellent examples of communities
taking ownership and making a real difference to their local area.
"I want to congratulate all the winners on their
achievements and encourage them to share their knowledge so that
more local communities can adopt problem solving approaches like these."
The Tilley Awards were set up 12 years ago to recognise
innovative crime fighting projects where police and local
community safety agencies are successfully working together to
identify and tackle local crime problems. This year's
awards saw more than 110 entries.
146/2010
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Tilley Award is named after Professor Nick Tilley, who has
carried out considerable work in the UK, often commissioned by the
Home Office, to develop problem-oriented approaches to crime
reduction. The awards are funded by the Home Office to encourage
and spread best practice in crime fighting approaches across
England and Wales.
2. A summary of all the finalists can be found at: :http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/tilley-awards/finalists/
3. For more information ring the Home Office Press Office.
Contacts:
Home Office Press Office
Phone: 020 7035 3535
NDS.HO@coi.gsi.gov.uk