Ipswich residents are asked to nominate local crime prevention crusaders in the Community Safety Crime Prevention awards.

The awards are a joint initiative between Ipswich District Crime Prevention Unit, Crime Stoppers, Neighbourhood Watch, the Ipswich City Council and the Flinders Scout Association.

Sergeant Nadine Webster said “It’s about highlighting best practices in our community regarding crime prevention and using those examples to teach others,” she said.

Pam Lobwein of Neighbourhood Watch said, “each person who lives in this area is the eyes and ears of the local community and together we can take steps to ensure things untoward are reported.”

“It’s about communicating with neighbours and realising what is unusual behaviour and presenting a united approach. ” she said.

Involvement of the Scouting movement is a bid to improve the young people of the Ipswich regions understanding of their contribution to community safety.

Award categories: Community Engagement, Designing a Safe and Healthy Environment, Drug and Alcohol Harm Reduction, Youth Engagement and Family Violence Prevention.

Nominees must have demonstrated a commitment to and have achieved positive outcomes for crime prevention and community safety. Initiatives and activities must have occurred in and benefited the Ipswich region. Nominations for the awards close on Monday October 31.

The winners will be announced at an awards presentation on Thursday, November 17 at Brothers League’s Club. For more information contact Sergeant Nadine Webster on 3817 1351.

Five things that people can do to assist with the prevention of crime include: lock your car, trust and act upon your instincts, don’t respond to sales, door to door or internet, don’t provide personal information over the phone or internet; and look, listen and report.