Val McPherson, MSA Thames Valley

Val joined Neighbourhood Watch in the early 1980s and became a co-ordinator for her local scheme. Over time she expanded her influence and responsibilities, and for many years she was Chair of the Thames Valley Neighbourhood Watch Association, and the South East Regional Forum. This included responsibility for oversight of the Neighbourhood Alert database and communication system shared with Thames Valley Police. In 2015 she was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to policing and community safety.

Additionally, Val was recently honoured by Neighbourhood Watch at a celebration hosted in London by the Home Office. Val has completed over 37 years of loyal service to Neighbourhood Watch at both local, Force Area, Regional and National Level.

To mark this notable achievement a Reception was held on 4th December 2019, attended by senior Home Office officials, Thames Valley Police Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfeld, Trustees and staff of the Neighbourhood Watch Network, Superintendent Rebecca Mears from Thames Valley Police and representatives of Neighbourhood Watch from across the country.

There was a line-up of speakers eager to congratulate Val on this remarkable achievement, and to highlight memorable moments from her long history of volunteering. These included John Hayward-Cripps, Chief Executive Officer of Neighbourhood Watch Network, David Huse, Chair of Neighbourhood Watch Network, Katie Aston from the Home Office, Anthony Stansfeld and Superintendent Rebecca Mears, amongst others, who all spoke to reflect upon Val’s loyalty, dedication and hard work over many years.

To commemorate the occasion she was presented with a crystal tribute from Neighbourhood Watch, letters of thanks from a local resident, The Rt Hon, Theresa May, and from the Chief Constable John Campbell and a personalised football shirt bearing no.37, signed by many of her friends and well-wishers.

For the future, Val will continue to be heavily involved in her local and District Neighbourhood Watch and will continue to be involved at a National level.

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