CSAS Awards 2024

The ‘Essex Community Safety Accreditation Scheme Awards’ took place on 2nd of October 2024 and included nominees from Witham Town Council, Maldon District Council, Colchester City Council, Southend City Council, Chelmsford City Council, Halstead Town Council, Harlow Borough Council and Tendring District Council.

The Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) gives people targeted powers to tackle crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour. Witham Town Council’s Street Warden Paul joined Witham Town Council as a Street Warden after becoming accredited in December 2023 and is responsible for maintaining and facilitating community safety by being a visible presence in the town. His position was originally funded through the Safer Streets Programme on a temporary basis but due to the success of his role the council will be looking to make his role permanent.

Paul was the worthy winner of this year’s award for ‘CSAS Accredited Person of the Year’, beating strong competition from other Street Wardens and Community Safety Officers in Essex.  Witham Town Council also received a ‘Certificate of Recognition’ for the outstanding commitment they had shown as a newcomer to the scheme.

A spokesperson for Witham Town Council said: “Since joining our team in 2023, Paul has exemplified dedication, compassion, and a genuine commitment to community safety. Earning the title of ‘CSAS Accredited Person of the Year’ so soon after joining is a remarkable achievement, Paul has become a vital presence in our town, ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents.

Paul’s commitment to his role is evident in his willingness to volunteer for additional duties beyond his regular hours. He often stays late to patrol with the police, ensuring our town is safe even during the most challenging times. His dedication extends to early morning and weekend patrols, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to maintaining a secure and peaceful environment.

One of Paul’s most impactful initiatives has been his work with Witham’s homeless. Despite not being part of his duties, Paul has taken it upon himself to deliver food parcels to the homeless in his own time. His efforts have gone even further, as he has successfully assisted four long-term homeless individuals in finding local housing. This is a remarkable achievement, considering housing is not within the council’s remit. Paul’s compassion and determination to help those in need have transformed lives as well as reducing the crime that can accompany homelessness.

Paul has also been instrumental in improving the cleanliness our town. He has collaborated with the district council to address fly-tipping, utilizing town council CCTV to identify offenders. Additionally, Paul has persuaded businesses to take responsibility for the cleanliness outside their premises, leading to a significant improvement in areas previously neglected areas.

Communication and cooperation among local businesses have also been strengthened thanks to Paul’s proactive approach. He established a town-wide WhatsApp group allowing shopkeepers to communicate and share information about shoplifting incidents. This initiative fostered a sense of community among the businesses and led to an increase in the reporting of crime, which was previously underreported due to reluctance among shop owners. Paul has also delivered crime prevention literature on behalf of the police, further supporting efforts to reduce crime in Witham.”

A spokesperson from the Witham United Reformed Church said: “Paul is a kind and caring man who takes his job really seriously and always puts the people in the community first. He is willing to talk to everyone and try to support them through many difficulties in a sensitive but professional manner. Nothing is ever to much bother for him. I get the impression that whilst he is always very professional, he does way beyond what the job requires. He has a heart for those who need help and is keen to help or find solutions wherever he possibly can.”

Witham Town Council would like to thank Paul for his hard work, and congratulate him on winning this award.