The Dorset Justice Awards 2008

The Dorset Justice Awards 2008 ceremony took place on 2 October 2008 and recognised some of the outstanding work that has taken place across Dorset’s criminal justice system over the past year.

Areas of work honoured at the awards ceremony which took place at the Dorford Centre, Dorchester, included working with offenders, engaging local communities, tackling youth crime and caring for victims and witnesses.

The Overall Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2008 was presented to Jane Martin and Linda Tolman of Dorset Probation Service for their work with offenders carrying out Unpaid Work Orders at Club 21 ­– a voluntary group based in Poole for adults with learning disabilities.

Victim Support volunteer Fran Rook was the joint winner of the volunteer of the year award with fellow Janet Radley receives her award from Rod Brummitt, Area Director of HM Courts ServiceVictim Support volunteer Janet Radley. After receiving the award Fran Rook, who is based in Weymouth, said: “I feel very privileged to have won this award. The work I do is very satisfying as I get to help so many people emotionally and practically. It is so important for the public to know about the services Victim Support offers.”

PC Keith Cutler received the individual award for outstanding contribution to engaging local communities for his work in raising awareness of distraction burglary in North Bournemouth.

Amongst over activities, PC Cutler arranged for two performances of the musical Trickster to take place, PC Keith Cutler receives his Dorset Justice Awardone even featured Chief Constable Martin Baker making a special guest appearance on stage! The musical was seen by over 250 people and is an excellent tool for getting the message across of being confident to say no to uninvited callers.

PC Cutler said: “I am honoured to receive this award. We managed to get 267 elderly people to see the bogus callers play which raised awareness of distraction burglary.”

PC Andy Watkins and PCSO Neal Rooke of the Wimborne Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team won the The Wimborne Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team with their awardteam award for outstanding contribution to engaging local communities for their work in establishing the Parent Support Pledge in Sturminster Marshall.

This initiative allows parents to register a curfew for their children with the Safer Neighbourhood Team, then if the team spot a child out beyond their curfew they will either alert the parents or take the child home. This scheme has received positive national media coverage.

After winning the award PC Watkins said: “We are very pleased with the level of positive feedback the initiative has received. I am sure that this scheme is one of the reasons why the number of reports of anti-social behaviour were reduced over the summer of 2008 in Sturminster Marshall.”

John Wiseman, Chair of the Dorset Criminal Justice Board and Chief Officer of Dorset Probation Service, said: "This award ceremony has been a great success and every award winner deserves the recognition they have received. These awards give us the opportunity to publicly say thank you to the staff and volunteers who work so hard across Dorset's criminal justice system.

“The outstanding teams and individuals that have been recognised at this award ceremony have shown exceptional commitment and dedication to help make Dorset safer. Every day across Dorset our staff and volunteers within the criminal justice system work hard to catch offenders, bring them to justice and work to rehabilitate them."

For a full list of Dorset Justice Award 2008 winners please click here.

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