TO recognise the important role that Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators play in making Essex one of the safest places to live and work, Essex Police and Essex Police Authority are supporting the Essex Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator of the Year Award for 2012.

With more than eight thousand volunteer co-ordinators, Neighbourhood Watch schemes provide support and reassurance to around 40 percent of households in Essex.

Alan Johnson, Chair of the Essex County Neighbourhood Watch Association said: “Neighbourhood Watch provides a great opportunity for people to get involved in their communities, create a strong local spirit and crucially help keep their community safe.”

Each of the county’s districts is inviting the public and others involved in community safety to nominate co-ordinators who have demonstrated excellent service in their community.

Each district will judge the nominations and submit one as its candidate for the prestigious Essex Co-ordinator of the Year Award. All the other candidates will receive a certificate of appreciation at a ceremony in January 2013.

To make a nomination, download and complete a nomination form from the Essex Police website at: http://www.essex.police.uk/nhw

You can then e-mail the completed nomination form to the relevant email address on the link at the Essex Police website, or hand it in at your local police station by no later than 5pm on Friday, December 7.