Hazel’s police award shock after tireless work

Selfless neighbour Hazel Richardson has been recognised for her tireless community work on Knottingley’s Warwick Estate.
Hazel Richardson has won a Communities are safer and feel safer award from police and crime commissioner Mark Burns-WilliamsonHazel Richardson has won a Communities are safer and feel safer award from police and crime commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson
Hazel Richardson has won a Communities are safer and feel safer award from police and crime commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson

Mrs Richardson set up the estate’s neighbourhood watch and is an active member of the Warwick Ahead group - a three-year plan to improve community transport, the environment, activities for the elderly and opportunities for young people.

She also set up Warwick Watchers - a junior neighbourhood watch on the estate - and carried out a £8,000 revamp of a footpath in the town.

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The former Tadcaster councillor has now received a Communities Are Safer and Feel Safer award from police and crime commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson for her efforts.

Knottingley junior neighbourhood watch will start work on improving The Lanes in July. PCSO's Sam Dodson and Aaron Riley join Hazel Richardson and the JNW - Matthew Poxon / Bobbie_Lea Poxon / Ellie Jordan / Natasha McCall. (P511C424)Knottingley junior neighbourhood watch will start work on improving The Lanes in July. PCSO's Sam Dodson and Aaron Riley join Hazel Richardson and the JNW - Matthew Poxon / Bobbie_Lea Poxon / Ellie Jordan / Natasha McCall. (P511C424)
Knottingley junior neighbourhood watch will start work on improving The Lanes in July. PCSO's Sam Dodson and Aaron Riley join Hazel Richardson and the JNW - Matthew Poxon / Bobbie_Lea Poxon / Ellie Jordan / Natasha McCall. (P511C424)

Mrs Richardson, 69, said: “The award just came through the postbox and I knew nothing about it.

“There was no covering letter with it and I was just flabbergasted. When I realised what I was I just sat looking it and I could have cried.”

The Warwick Watchers -made up of 11 to 19-year-olds installed benches, cut grass and resurfaced the footpath known locally as The Lanes - which is used as a shortcut from the estate to De Lacy Academy and Ash Grove Surgery.

They finished the project earlier this years.

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Mrs Richardson, of Hawthorne Avenue, said: “I have won awards from Wakefield and District Housing which are very special but this just takes the crunch.

“To get it out of the blue makes it extra special and I am just so chuffed and proud.

“I must also thank the children that have taken part in the project though.

“I set the group up but the revamp of The Lanes was all their idea and I couldn’t be prouder of them.

“They are a great bunch of children and I love working with them.”

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