A crime-fighting Basingstoke woman has been honoured for her efforts at a county wide awards. Lee Thurbron has scooped the Accredited Community Safety Officer of the Year award.
ASCO’s work closely with the community and police to tackle issues including crime reduction, anti-social behaviour and graffiti. Their job is to make communities safer and happier. Basingstoke has a 16-strong team that was launched in February and Lee has been descrbed as an ‘officer who is dedicated to her work, who shows passion and commitment to the job and whose work is outstanding.”
Lee was honoured at a ceremony marking five years of the Accreddited Community Safety Service. Across the county there are 57 ASCO’s and Leader of Hampshire County Council Cllr Ken Thornber, praised the whole group for their contribution. He said: "I am delighted that our ACSOs have been able to make such a positive contribution and that they have been welcomed not only by the communities that they serve, but also by the police and fire service, district and parish councils and all the other agencies involved in this field.
“The new shared working arrangements which we have forged with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council are a great example of how all of us can work better together, and I hope that more similar partnerships can be developed.”
Meanwhile Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Sport and Leisure Cllr Clive Sanders said: “The joint community patrols are already a success story, with a co-ordinated ‘one team’ approach to reassuring residents and tackling local problems, working with the police. I would like to congratulate Lee as she is a great example of a dedicated officer, effectively bringing together both the enforcement and community engagement sides of her role to make a real difference in the community.”
There is a new direct dial number for residents wanting to get in touch with the community safety patrollers - 01256 845700.
