MORE than 25 years of dedicated work for Neighbourhood Watch has earned Richard Bills an award from police.

Mr Bills received a surprise presentation when he attended Rayleigh police station on Saturday for the neighbourhood policing team's Crime Prevention Awareness Day.

Chief Inspector Andy Prophet presented him with a plaque in recognition of his years of hard work.

Mr Bills, 78, from Hockley, oversees 250 Neighbourhood Watch schemes across the area. He also runs a team based at Rayleigh Police station.

He said: "It was a complete surprise. I wasn't expecting it at all. I was very pleased, but you work with a team, so it's a team effort with Rayleigh police station and Rochford District Council. I dislike crime and people intruding on other people's privacy and property."

Mr Bills said he had thoroughly enjoyed his work as a part of the Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

He said: "You live in the community and you want the place you live to be safe. The community comes together to help one another. You help the police, the police help you.

"I enjoy meeting people. It is very rewarding as you feel you are really helping and are a part of the community.

"I've been very happy to work with Neighbourhood Watch on a basic level for 25 years as well as county level for three years."