DENBIGHSHIRE residents have been recognised at a major awards ceremony.
The North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Awards Ceremony returned last week to celebrate people in the communities across the region who make a difference in supporting the police and their fellow citizens.
The evening marked a welcome return for the awards following a two-year break due to the pandemic.
Mesut Alkir and Jo Alkir, from Efenechtyd, were the winners of the safer community award, sponsored by Tir Prince Leisure Group.
Meanwhile, announced as the NFU Cymru-sponsored rural and wildlife champion was Malcolm Ingham, from Ruthin.
The awards event took place at the Quay Hotel and Spa in Deganwy and saw over 100 guests come together from across the general public, police, emergency services, local and national politics, charities, and the wider third sector in North Wales.
Awards recognise the often-unsung local heroes who work in the background to support victims, support rehabilitation and reduce the likelihood and impact of crime across the region.
The nomination process saw police officers, staff and volunteers from North Wales Police put forward suggestions of people they have worked with in the community as winners.
A new aspect of the awards this year was sponsorship of the different categories by local businesses.
Each company donated £300 to be given to a good cause specifically to further build on their hard work in the community.
Each winner’s name was engraved, along with the sponsor’s, on the special glass trophy presented for each award category by the commissioner.
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: “I am delighted to recognise the contribution of so many people across North Wales to their communities and their hard work in supporting the work of the police and emergency services.
"A special feature of these awards is that they shine a light on people in our society who work tirelessly – often behind the scenes – to make a difference. "My Community Awards are all about bringing that contribution centre stage and thanking the winners on behalf of the people of North Wales for all that they do.”
Mesut Alkir and Jo Alkir have contributed significantly to the improvement of safety on the roads for young people.
Three years ago, Jo and Mesut’s daughter Olivia died tragically in a road traffic collision.
Since that time, they have campaigned around road safety and have provided invaluable support to create an educational package developed with the SchoolBeat programme to educate young drivers.
Using Olivia’s story, Jo and Mesut contributed to a film which was launched in March.
They worked closely with North Wales Police to make the project true to Olivia, while ensuring its suitability for a young audience.
The film uses footage and audio from the night of the accident which makes it both hard hitting and impactful.
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Malcolm Ingham, who lives in Ruthin, is a retired wildlife ranger who is an expert in badgers and badger setts.
He has come to the assistance of North Wales Police on many occasions over the past eight years to help them investigate badger sett disturbance and potential badger baiting offences.
His support and expertise with gathering evidence in this specialised area has been invaluable.
He has worked diligently over many years to provide expert witness evidence that has enabled the police to not only bring charges but has led to successful prosecutions and the convictions of members of organised criminal gangs.
On receiving the award, Mr Ingham said: “It was totally unexpected and a complete surprise!
"I've assisted the police for many years in investigating wildlife crime, firstly with Merseyside Police plus the National Wildlife Crime Unit and the RSPCA Special Ops Unit.
"I don't expect a reward for assisting the police in their investigations of wildlife crime, my reward is a successful prosecution particularly when a badger digger/baiter receives a custodial and I'm humbled and honoured to have been nominated and even more so to have won it!”
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