A FORMER RAF bomber pilot who has led a blitz against crime in Prestwich is in the running for a top award.

Pensioner Arnold Hall, co-ordinator of the Oldfield Road Home Watch scheme, is one of 11 divisional finalists in this year's Greater Manchester Police Home Watch awards.

He will be presented with his award at the Home Watch conference in Manchester on September 19, when the overall winner will be announced.

Certificates of achievement will be awarded to all recipients and the overall winner will also get an engraved plaque.

Representing the Bury division will be Mr Hall who was a pilot in the RAF between 1941-45.

Mr Denis Kirk, Bury's Home Watch administrator who nominated the Prestwich pensioner, said: "He has been involved in Home Watch since it was first introduced in Bury in 1984.

"He has been a tireless campaigner for promoting the Home Watch message throughout his district.

"Today Arnold can point with some pride to a network of Watch schemes incorporating 17 streets and 500 households. High on his list of priorities are issues affecting the elderly." By adopting the philosophy that to be "forewarned is forearmed," he encourages his members to tell him of their concerns and then pursues them on their behalf with the appropriate authorities.

Mr Kirk added: "Arnold is a well known and respected figure in his community, never missing an opportunity to promote the interests of his Home Watch members.

"His work brings him into contact with councillors and police officers and he regularly attends and participates in the police and community consultative group meetings in his area."

Following demobilisation, Arnold entered the insurance business. He says that meeting people in connection with his work has stood him in good stead in pursuit of his Home Watch interests.

He has served the community as a councillor in times past and is actively involved in the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

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