Police Sergeant Simon Hay has been rewarded with the top accolade of a National Pubwatch Malcolm Eidmans award, sponsored by Poppleston Allen.
The award recognises the outstanding contribution made by a police officer or member of police staff in supporting Pubwatch.
Simon has worked with Police Scotland for the last 14 years and is a native of the Orkney islands.
In 2018, whilst working as the Preventions and Interventions Officer, Simon was asked to assist the existing Orkney Pubwatch centred in the main town of Kirkwall.
He sought assistance from National Pubwatch and used its documentation to help improve the governance and processes of the scheme. He attended meetings on a regular basis and encouraged people to join the scheme, explaining the benefits of membership.
He then successfully sought funding from the Orkney Alcohol and Drugs Partnership for a new Pubwatch website. The website contained a secure messaging facility for members which provided amongst other things, a banning matrix and an anonymised voting process. Something crucial in a small place such as Orkney.
He also secured funding for mobile phones to be provided to Pubwatch members and the Police to improve operational communication.
He encouraged licensees in the town of Stromness, to become involved. And now venues in the Western Isles are utilising the blueprint of the Orkney website to start their own scheme.
Angela Crawford, the former Chair of Orkney Pubwatch said that Simon is passionate about the island and the local Pubwatch scheme. She describes him as a “forward thinker” and credits him with re-energising the scheme and taking it to the next level.
Inspector David Hall, who nominated Simon for this award, said:
“Simon’s work has not only ensured that licensees are able to play a full role in reducing anti-social behaviour but he has also created a strong working relationship with partners.”
Simon said:
“I am absolutely delighted. This award is a brilliant thing – not just for myself but for the Orkney Pubwatch. It is good to get the recognition for all the hard work that has been put into this.”
