COMMUNITY groups that work to make life safer for the people of Hartlepool, have been rewarded at a special ceremony.

The Hartlepool Neighbourhood Watch and Community Safety Awards honoured individuals and groups working on behalf of others in the area.

The awards were presented by figures from the national neighbourhood watch scheme as well as local police and community representatives.

Among the winners were Throston Estate Crime Stoppers (Tecs )who picked up the Young People's Award.

Tecs encourages young people to work with residents and the police to make the environment clean and safe as well as helping to fight crime.

PC Keith Morrison, who nominated the group, said: "They are actively supplying information to reduce potential crimes by the initiative of post boxes situated in various locations to drop off letters containing confidential information.

"They have designed the boxes and are building them themselves."

PC Steve Plant, the dedicated officer for the Rift House area of Hartlepool, won the police award while Shenna McGibbon of Throston Grange won the good neighbour award.

Hartbeat, a group which helps young offenders realise the effects of crime on society, collected the initiative award while Longhill Business Association, which aims to improve conditions on the Longhill Industrial Estate, won the Neighbourhood Partnership Award.

The association recently opened ParkSafe secure lorry park to prevent diesel thefts from HGVs.

Eddie Lincoln, who nominated the group said: "The association is dedicated to improving its area and has shown tremendous commitment and determination in completing the ParkSafe project."