Mr. Niall Garvey:

The crime prevention ambassador programme was run on a pilot basis in the north west. The programme recognises the fact that the Garda does not have the resources to personally visit everybody in a neighbourhood. Gardaí can respond to crime but they do not have the time to make preventative calls. The ambassador programme involved training those older people who had time to spare in issues around crime prevention and how they could advise others on crime. The volunteers then visited the houses in their area where older or vulnerable people lived. They were able to supply information from the Garda and advise people on how to secure their homes and look after themselves. The programme was primarily about crime prevention but included some health advice. At the end of the programme, the volunteers were rewarded with thanks and recognised with a certificate. It is a programme that works in partnership with the Garda but performing the kind of work that gardaí do not have time to do.