A COMMUNITY stalwart has won a national crimefighting award.
John Booth, of Ushaw Moor Action Group (Umag), near Durham, won the Outstanding Achievement Award at a House of Commons ceremony organised by the Queen’s Diamond Volunteering Awards.
The accolade means Umag is officially recognised as the best Neighbourhood Watch scheme in England and Wales.
Umag is a combined Neighbourhood Watch and residents’ association, which runs The Hive community hub on Station Road.
Earlier this year, Mr Booth was given Durham County Council’s Chairman’s Medal.
Also at the ceremony, Jim Allen, chair of Darlington Neighbourhood Watch, accepted the runner-up award for best Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator.
Mr Allen has helped increase the percentage of homes in Darlington covered by Neighbourhood Watch from eight to 21.
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