Businesses, security teams and Kent police officers came together to celebrate those who help keep Maidstone safe at the 2014 MaidSafe awards. MaidSafe is a partnership between local retailers, licensees, CCTV operators, the police and the Town Centre Management in Maidstone, which was featured in the December 2013 print issue of Professional Security magazine.
The awards ceremony at the Wonderland nightclub in Barker Road, Maidstone, on January 30 saw awards were presented by Town Centre Manager Bill Moss, manager of The Mall Paul Alcock, Cllr John Wilson and from Kent Police Chief Inspector Simon Wilson and Chief Supt Steve Corbishley.
The winners were:
Individual award – Glenn Jones from Boots security. Glenn has been in the role for one year and has caught nearly all of Maidstone’s well known offenders. He was instrumental in identifying two prolific offenders in his store who had stolen £15,000 worth of designer glasses across the south east. They were recently sent to prison for a total of 21 months.
Outstanding actions award – Rob Garner from the Urban Blue Bus and Special Constable Kevin Buck. Rob has given up the equivalent of 46 working weeks of his own time over the last five years to manage the Urban Blue Bus in Maidstone. He’s the first on shift and the last to leave and provides a key role in supporting the police and local licensees and those visiting Maidstone.
Special Constable Buck has volunteered with Kent Police for over 20 years. He works a ten-hour foot patrol shift with the town team every Saturday night and has made many arrests over the years.
Team Award – This award went to The Mall Chequers security team. From assisting police officers, to helping with routine cuts and bruises to saving the life of a choking victim, the team is always on hand to provide a key service to visitors and residents in the town.
Best night time economy team – Urban Blue Bus. This team provide invaluable support and help relieve the pressure on police officers and paramedics. They have volunteered over 4,000 hours, dealt with over 630 incidents and prevented the need for an ambulance to be called on 430 occasions.
The Timpson outstanding service award – PCSOs Caroline Honeysett and Neil Lettington. Neil and Caroline are a constant presence in the town. They take statements, identify suspects, liaise with stores, recover stolen property and even find missing people. Indeed, Caroline nearly missed the awards ceremony having identified and detained a wanted suspect as she made her way to the event. To quote Marks and Spencer’s nomination, “they are the one team Maidstone cannot do without.”
The Linda Gillette Award – PC Ash Bates. This award was named after the town centre officer PC Linda Gillette, who died in 2011. It was presented this year to PC Bates. Ash has worked on the town centre neighbourhood team for three years. She has excellent knowledge of offenders operating in the town, and never tires in getting them off the streets. Ash is considered as a key member of the town centre team and it is thanks to officers like her that Kent Police can deliver the service that the public expect.
Chief Supt Steve Corbishley said: ‘This is my third time working in Maidstone throughout the course of my career and I have to say that Maidstone does partnership like no one else. Everyone plays an absolutely crucial role, from CCTV operators, to security guards, to retailers. It was a great honour to present these awards, especially Linda’s award – in the presence of her family – and I look forward to hearing about more excellent work at next year’s awards.’
And Bill Moss, town centre manager, said: ‘The annual Maidsafe awards once again highlighted the outstanding work that goes into making Maidstone such a safe and secure town during both daytime and throughout the night. We are extremely proud of our town centre security staff and these awards recognise those people who have gone the extra mile, and are a tangible way of saying “thank you” to them.’
