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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 20 June 2008

Frances Davidson

Praise for door-knocker behind neighbourhood watch launch

A DISABLED pensioner who set up Finsbury Park’s first neighbourhood watch scheme was honoured at Monday’s police commendation ceremony.
Frances Davidson, 64, was commended for her commitment to the community and contribution to police work in helping to make Islington safer. Through her tireless work, she helped set up FinFirst Neighbourhood Watch, which meets every three months.
Ms Davidson said: “It’s so important that people understand that you have to build a strong community around you, particularly at this time when people are coming from all over the world and you never know who your neighbours are.
“The only way to solve the problem is when people get together.”
She added: “I was quite proud to have been selected. I’m just happy the neighbourhood watch got a mention. This is really an award for the neighbourhood watch and the community.”
The organisation now covers hundreds of households and has its own website www.finfirst.org.uk.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Laurence said: “FinFirst covers 1,900 homes. Its success is due to the efforts of Frances.
“She has secured Safer Neighbourhoods team, police and resident support as well as walking up and down the streets knocking on doors, attending neighbourhood steering groups and organising the website.”
He added that when schoolboy Martin Dinnegan was fatally stabbed in June last year, Ms Davidson organised a well-attended public meeting and helped co-ordinate other meetings.

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