Man wins award for tackling trouble (From Witney Gazette)

Man wins award for tackling trouble

5:00pm Tuesday 3rd July 2007 in Headlines By David Horne

A CARTERTON man is the only one in the county to earn a special award for his efforts in tackling antisocial behaviour.

Adrian Coomber has won the National Respect Award, for 'Taking a Stand', from the Home Office and earned £2,000 to carry on the good work in his home neighbourhood.

He is the chairman of the Carterton, Bampton and Burford Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) and was nominated for the award by the district's Community Safety Partnership, backed by a personal message from Witney MP and Tory leader, David Cameron.

Mr Coomber serves in the RAF, based at Brize Norton, and has recently been elected an independent councillor on Carterton Town Council.

He said: "I'm extremely proud to win the award as I had no idea I'd been nominated, so it was a pleasant surprise."

He recently returned from a tour of duty in the Middle East to learn the good news and received the award.

He added: "I plan to use the £2,000 I have won to help fund the Carterton Youth Council and support further initiatives that tackle the NAG's priorities, which include youths hanging around and antisocial behaviour."