The team of security officers responsible for the Elephant and Castle shopping centre has won national recognition from the police, Southwark Council and the Shopping Centre management team, for its work in making the Elephant and Castle a safer place to shop and visit.

At the presentation of the First Security Team of the Year award, which was accepted by Supervisors Emmanuel Orimolye and Seth Lartely, the Shopping Centre Manager, Mike Knell said: "The work that the officers have put in over the last two years has been incredible.  I wanted to clean up the shopping centre by getting rid of the beggars, pick pockets, vandals, and shop lifters as we had to do something to make the shopping centre a safer place for people to come to."

"We have received great praise from the local police, British transport police, Southwark council and other agencies, for the way in which the team has assisted in the safer neighborhood scheme and they regularly assists the robbery squad and other units with CCTV coverage that has been crucial in obtaining convictions."

"The officers' duties see them confronting, following and evicting known felons, thus ensuring that the hard work they have put in, does not go in vain.  Along with all the skills they have for dealing with the unexpected and undesirables, they still make time to be a smiling, ‘friendly face' of the shopping centre community.  Due to their hard work, constant vigilance and dedication to their profession they are making the shopping centre a safer place to come to, and they have my sincere thanks and gratitude."

The distinctly colourful shopping centre is one of three centres owned by St Modwen Properties and the team of 20 First Security offices has been working on the site for two years.

Jonathan Levine, Managing Director of First Security said: "Central to the improvement at the centre has been the work of the officers and this award is in recognition of their efforts and dedication."

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