Hillingdon Council is celebrating winning the top prize at the National Crimebeat Awards 2026 for its life-changing ‘Making Hayes Safer’ community safety initiative.
The project, which has helped to achieve a 16 per cent reduction in violent offences involving young people in Hayes since April 2025, was awarded first place at the ceremony, hosted by the High Sheriffs’ Association, at the Royal National Hotel in London on Tuesday 17 March. The annual awards highlight innovative and successful crime prevention projects carried out by young people in England and Wales.
Funded by the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, the community-based ‘Making Hayes Safer’ project was developed by the council in response to a rise in fatal incidents and safety concerns raised by residents.
Led by the council’s community safety team, with support from Children’s Services and Hillingdon Libraries, and delivered in partnership with schools, youth hubs, local businesses, residents and faith groups, the project brings people together to provide targeted early intervention support and positive opportunities for young people across Hayes.
Local young people were also integral in shaping and implementing the project, including, Dillon Fleming, (19), who before volunteering with the council had been excluded from school at 11 and involved in the criminal justice system. With professional guidance and support, he has gone on to make positive changes and help others through the programme.
He assisted the council’s community safety team by collecting survey responses from pupils across five schools in Hayes to understand what support, programmes and activities they would most engage with and help them to feel safer in their community.
Dillon said: “Honestly, this project has been life-changing, not only for me but for many young people involved.
"Making Hayes Safer co-ordinator Kirsty, from the community safety team, and Ash in the children's participation team and the wider project team have been amazing support and none of this would have happened without their incredible work and dedication.
"They helped me make a breakthrough, a change, pushed me and made me somebody I’d never even dreamed of becoming – and now look at me!”
Since starting in April 2024, ‘Making Hayes Safer’ has provided young people and families with practical tools to prevent conflict and make positive choices through a range of activities and events, such as free sports coaching or mentoring opportunities. The outcomes include:
- more than 300 residents attended an anti-knife crime action day in the park next to Botwell Green Library
- 100 free meals served to young people
- 30 at risk boys known to services, like the Youth Justice Service, took part in outdoor activities and life skill activities
- 54 young people took part in a creative workshop on the Young Urban Arts foundation multi-media bus at Botwell Green Library
- 50 young people have taken part in the Level Up Behaviour Intervention Programme, designed for schoolchildren who have been struggling with both behavioural challenges and mental health difficulties
- more than 300 weapons safely disposed of in the Pump Lane car park weapons surrender bin since it was installed in June 2025.
Cllr Wayne Bridges, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Environment, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for our teams across the council who have been working tirelessly on this project to create safer, stronger communities in Hayes. Dillon is a shining example of the impact and importance of the programme.
“Reducing serious violence isn’t just about enforcement, it’s about prevention and empowerment. By giving young people the tools to make positive choices and feel proud of their community, we’re seeing real change with fewer serious incidents, lower reoffending rates, and stronger connections between residents.”
