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7 Nov 07Unsung Hero Wins Community Award
An unsung hero has won a prestigious award from Poole Safe Together Partnership for his dedication to crime detection and prevention.
Alan Holt, vice-chairman of Dorset Crimestoppers 
, has been awarded the John Jay Shield for 2007.
The award, celebrating its tenth anniversary, honours Poole’s unsung heroes who work actively to promote community safety and crime prevention.
Mr Holt, from Blandford Forum, has been involved with Dorset Crimestoppers for nine years. The award recognises his fundraising efforts and the work he has done to considerably raise the profile of the group’s work .
Mr Holt’s involvement with the group indirectly led to the closing down of a cannabis factory locally. One of his presentations provided a member of the public with contact information for Dorset Crimestoppers. This resulted in an anonymous tip off which led to drugs, with a street value of £20,000, being seized.
Mr Holt was presented with the John Jay Shield by Paul Bompas, a former Police Divisional Commander for Poole, at a special ceremony held at Hamworthy Social Club, Magna Road.
Alan Holt, said: “I receive this award on behalf of the entire Board and not as an individual as they all do outstanding work on behalf of Dorset Crimestoppers. For me it is a huge honour to receive this award. We don’t do this work to win awards but when we do, it is truly appreciated and a fantastic way of having the work we do recognised by others.”
Richard Daubeney, Chairman of Dorset Crimestoppers, said: “Alan has a real passion to help the community and is an unsung hero. He has regularly given up his own time and used his annual leave to attend events, make presentations and man information stalls on behalf of the charity.”
John McBride, Chief Executive of Borough of Poole, said: “It is due to the hard work of individuals such as Alan and the partnership working of other agencies that has helped make Dorset the second safest county in England.”
The Poole Safe Together Partnership is made up of representatives from the local authority, police, fire, health, and voluntary community groups. Their aims are to reduce and prevent crime, anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime.
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