When criminals damaged osprey nests at Llyn Brenig lake, volunteers didn't give up. Instead, they fought back — monitoring the skies, recruiting partners, and making sure these magnificent birds of prey could still breed in North Wales. That work just earned the Llyn Brenig Osprey Project one of the region's highest honors.
The project took home the Rural and Wildlife Champion Award at this year's North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Community Awards, held at the Quay Hotel in Deganwy. But it was far from the only hero in the room.
Ten awards were given out to people and groups doing remarkable work across North Wales. Andy Dunbobbin, the Police and Crime Commissioner, opened the ceremony by calling this year's winners "exceptional" — saying they had "gone above and beyond" to make their communities safer and stronger.
Claire Watson Mack has spent 20 years supporting victims of crime, making sure their voices get heard when they need it most. She took home the Volunteer Award. Not far behind, Linda Parry has dedicated more than 25 years to helping survivors, working at the North Wales Victim Help Centre in St Asaph — earning her the Survivor Empowerment Award.
One young person made her mark too. Leaola Roberts-Biggs from Flintshire logged over 1,200 hours volunteering as a North Wales Police Young Ambassador, and she won the Young People's Award for speaking up for youth in community safety discussions.
In Wrexham, a group called Eternal Media combined professional video production with rehabilitation programs, helping hundreds of people rebuild their lives after tough times. They earned Team of the Year. Meanwhile, Rhian Lloyd Williams from Grŵp Cynefin worked alongside police to protect housing residents from exploitation and anti-social behavior, winning the Safer Community Award.
The night ended with a Special Recognition Award for Hannah Rowan, who has spent nearly 30 years doing youth work in Rhyl. She helped build inclusive programs for LGBTQ+ young people and worked to prevent violence before it starts.
"Our communities play an enormous role in supporting policing and preventing crime," Dunbobbin said. He thanked all the winners for their "dedication, compassion and commitment to their fellow citizens."