A BURY couple who overcame initial prejudice to launch a successful Home Watch scheme could be in line for a top award.

Ken and Irene Smith, co-ordinators of the Huntley Mount Road Home Watch Scheme, are together among eleven finalists in this year's Greater Manchester Police Home Watch awards.

The awards recognise commitment by individuals in developing an active partnership in their community to prevent crime.

Numerous burglaries in their neighbourhood prompted the couple to start a scheme in 1989. Since then, they have worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for their neighbours.

They have introduced a Home Watch scheme to a large local authority estate, close to where they live and where others were suffering like themselves.

They had to overcome some traditional prejudice about being involved with the police. Their action to help their community has also prompted negative comment from people who fail to appreciate the benefits the Home Watch scheme brings. Said Mrs Smith: "We started our watch scheme after a spate of burglaries in the area. It has not stopped it altogether, but it has reduced it greatly. If we have one burglary in twelve months now, it is still too many, but it proves Home Watch does work."

The awards will be presented at the annual Home Watch conference on September 13 at Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music.

Each finalist receives a certificate of achievement, with gift vouchers worth £20 for themselves and £50 for their scheme. The winner will receive a video recorder for use by their scheme. The £350 recorder with post-code security feature is being donated by Sharp Electronics.

The winner will also receive vouchers worth £30 for themselves and an engraved plaque. Their name will be submitted to the General Accident Neighbourhood Watch Awards for 1997.

Chief Constable David Wilmot said the theme for the conference was "building on success", reflecting development of Home Watch nationwide over the year. The scheme now covered 250,000 households in Greater Manchester.

Mr Wilmot paid tribute to co-ordinators and members of the scheme. "They exemplify the caring nature of our society and contribute so much to improving the quality of life locally," he said.

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