The search is on for community crime busters in North Yorkshire.

An awards scheme is looking to recognise local achievements in beating crime and improving community safety.

Crime Concern, the national crime prevention charity, is jointly organising the 1998 awards to promote new ideas, encourage others to get involved and act as a mark of excellence in crime prevention.

Last year, schemes at Bubwith, near Selby, and Wetherby were praised by the judging panel in the awards scheme.

At Bubwith, green cards with details of who to contact if a crime is committed were distributed by project organisers. Over five years, the crime rate fell by 66 per cent.

And a Wetherby crime prevention panel claimed that not a single burglary had taken place in areas where it had helped householders to mark valuable property.

A spokeswoman from Crime Concern today urged community leaders in York and North Yorkshire to enter local projects in the 1998 Commercial Union Crime Prevention and Community Safety Awards.

The spokeswoman said: "We are looking for entries from local groups who are involved in projects which draw the community together and which are achieving real crime prevention results."

Groups may include crime prevention panels, community safety partnerships, residents' groups, youth groups, schools, businesses and neighbourhood watch schemes.

Nigel Whiskin, chief executive of Crime Concern, said: "We all have a contribution to make. Working together, in partnership, offers a chance to combine resources, and pool ideas and effort to make a real difference to local communities and create a safer Britain."

There are nine top regional prizes of £1,000 and a trophy, and finalists could go on to represent the UK in the European Awards, with a chance to win £7,000.

Cees Schrauwers, managing director of the awards sponsor, Commercial Union UK, said: "We know that communities are investing much time and effort into crime prevention and community safety.

"Our message to you is to get your entry in. Your scheme could have just what it takes to encourage others to follow your good example."

For an entry pack, write to: Commercial Union Awards, Crime Concern, PO Box 1374, Swindon SN1 1TL or visit http://www.commercial-union.co.uk/crime/default.htm on the Internet.

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