Support Herts Crimestoppers, Buy a Rose click here for details

0800 555 111 Helping to solve crime with anonymity

Rain Did Not Stop Play - 20/20 Cricket

Engaging with our diverse community and helping each other to make our environment safer as well as having fun was the idea behind a competitive cricket match organised by PC Irfan Ishaq with support from Hertfordshire Crimestoppers.

"We were thrashed by the team made up from the community!" said Irfan, who stepped in to play after the police team was a player short and had to wear size seven trainers with size nine feet.

He said: "As police officers, we tend to deliver unpleasant news to people or have to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour, so it was really good to be there working positively in the community. It wasn't just about cricket, it was about engaging with people and helping them to feel part of a neighbourhood. It gave us an opportunity to build up new relationships - together we can make our environment happier and safer."

Police Authority and Crimestoppers Board member, Brenda Griffiths, said: "Although the weather was disappointing, rain certainly didn't stop play nor did it dampen the enthusiasm or spirit of the players and spectators. The event provided an excellent opportunity for police and local communities to come together and the Police Authority was proud to be one of its sponsors."

Irfan added: "I'm very grateful to everyone who took part - with police officers giving up their precious rest days to play and one officer who had just come off a night shift. It also wouldn't have worked so well without our supporters, the two umpires who gave up their spare time and the support from both the Police Authority and Crimestoppers."

The results were 148 for one for the team made up from members of the community and 84 for six for the police team. There was a sponsored prize from Crimestoppers for Man of the Match and the Police Authority sponsored awards for the highest scoring player and the man with the highest number of wickets, all presented by Assistant Chief Constable Heather Valentine.

A number of Police Authority members attended including Chair Yasmin Batliwala. The Hertfordshire Crimestoppers Board was represented by Brenda Griffiths, Sue Thompson, Ian Pearce and David Green who was also one of the umpires.

Crimestoppers Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No. 5382856. Registered Charity No. 1108687 (England) and SC037960 (Scotland). Registered Office: Apollo House, 66A London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5BE