BBC praises Wick man’s commitment to bettering community

THE crime-fighting efforts of a Wick man have been praised by the BBC.
Mike Cullern, chairman of the Littlehampton Neighbourhood Watch Association, who has been nominated for a Sussex and Surrey-wide awards SUS-140411-102420001Mike Cullern, chairman of the Littlehampton Neighbourhood Watch Association, who has been nominated for a Sussex and Surrey-wide awards SUS-140411-102420001
Mike Cullern, chairman of the Littlehampton Neighbourhood Watch Association, who has been nominated for a Sussex and Surrey-wide awards SUS-140411-102420001

Mike Cullern, chairman of Littlehampton Neighbourhood Watch Association, is one of those vying for an honour at next month’s BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey Community Heroes Awards.

Mike, of Madehurst Way, is one of the finalists in the good citizen category.

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Speaking to the Gazette, Mike said: “It was a bit of a surprise. I didn’t know anything about it. It was all done behind my back. It is a very nice feeling to have been nominated.

“But it’s just not for me, it’s for the group. We work as a team. To single me out is a bit ironic because it really is a team effort.”

Mike has been leading the town’s wing of the neighbourhood watch for several years.

During his time as its chief, he has helped to implement a number of innovative safety campaigns and awareness drives.

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He has also helped grow the organisation’s reach enormously, with more members than ever before.

“We have gone from strength to strength in the last three years,” he said. “We’ve increased our membership so we now have about 4,500 households signed up to the scheme.”

Earlier this year, Mike’s team trialled a hugely successful junior neighbourhood watch scheme at the River Beach Primary School, in York Road.

The six-week project saw children learning about the justice system and how to avoid crime.

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The latest scheme is set to launch later this month, alongside new winter safety initiatives.

BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey editor Sara David said: “Yet again this year I have been overwhelmed by the incredible stories of local people going out of their way to help others.

“The nominations we have received are inspiring, impressive and moving and I am in awe of the finalists who will attend our awards ceremony on December 10.”

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