The Wycombe District Neighbourhood Watch Association have won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The award ceremony, which took place at the town’s Guildhall on Wednesday, September 18, saw more than 60 volunteers attend the presentation.

There are more than 1,200 coordinates involved with the WDNWA, with the group being recognised for their hard work in serving the Wycombe community.

Specifically, the award was given due to the hard work the volunteers had put in to help those who had been affected by scams and cons.

Stan Jones, who is the Chairman of the association said: “We were over the moon when we found out about the award.

“We have been heavily involved in preventing scams and cons across Wycombe which is by far the biggest crime in the district.

“We’ve done 65 seminars across the town where we’ve explained to people the dangerous nature of scams and how they can defend themselves against the con people.

“The scams come in all different types such as door knocking, phone calls, emails etc, as these people will try and get money from you in one way or another.

“But as well as preventing scams and helping those who have been affected, we also do all the other neighbourhood watch activities, as we look out for burglaries, we help those who are living alone as they can feel scared, so we try and help everyone.

“I feel very proud that we’ve been recognised for this.”

The award was presented to the association by Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, the current Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, with Mr Jones and Geoff Pegg, who is the director of operations at the association accepting the awarded on the WDNWA's behalf.

The association formed in 1995.

Following the presentation, Mr Pegg added: “Our main mission is crime prevention and as everyone heard at the ceremony, a lot of the people here have done so much to help those who are being conned and scammed.

“That was one of the main reasons why the nomination was based.

“The certificate we received would have been signed by the queen so it’s a very proud moment for the association.”

It was the first time the association had won the Queen's Award for Voluntary service.