A crime-busting community scheme was today celebrating after scooping a top county award.

The car-crime crackdown, steered by the Basildon Community Safety Partnership, has been vital in reducing incidents in the town by almost half in three years.

In 1996, car crime accounted for 40 per cent of all reported crime in Basildon - it is now 25 per cent. Project organisers were today due to pick up the top award presented annually by the High Sheriff of Essex - the High Sheriff's Cup.

The award recognises how community safety partnerships can come together to enhance and promote safe neighbourhoods.

Also due to pick up a major prize at today's award ceremony at the Essex County Showground at Great Leighs, is the ambitious Five Links regeneration project.

Youngsters are being awarded for their efforts in designing and building a children's play area to improve quality of life on the notorious estate.

The prize will be collected by pupils from the James Hornsby school in Laindon.

Supt Denis Sheppard, of Basildon police, today welcomed the news that Basildon has once again scooped many of the awards.

He said: "For some time now Basildon has won many awards through the High Sheriff awards scheme.

"It is a testament to the enthusiasm and commitments of many individuals and many agencies that we still continue to win so many awards."

Other groups to receive awards today include:

The Basildon Foyer which will be awarded £870 funding towards the cost of running its Peer Group Pressure Group

Basildon District Community Safety football and netball tournament, £500

Basildon Star Challenge, £1,000, towards taking Essex scouts canoeing in May to develop new skills

Junior crime-crackers, the Sherlock Holmes Club in Wickford, £200

Northlands Youth Centre, Pitsea. £300 for its cultural awareness programme.

Also nominated are Basildon Youth Council, Chalvedon School Sixth Form College, Basildon and Castle Point Victim Support, East Basildon Education Action Zone, Basildon Community Resource Centre and Basildon Crucial Crew.

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