Kent Messenger managing editor Ron Green has been honoured by Kent Police.

He received a commendation from chief constable Michael Fuller for his part in helping to devise a scheme to recognise young people who have fought against anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhood.

Ron (pictured) and Jon Parker, from Kent Police media services, ran the Young People’s Respect Awards in partnership with Charlton Athletic Football Club and the Home Office anti-social behaviour unit.

The scheme was the first of its kind in the country, and in 2005 awards were won by a gang of kids who battled to outlaw troublemakers from their estate, a teenager who took on school bullies and a disabled boy who fought for better playground facilities.

The awards ceremony and media coverage which followed showed Kent Police and its partner organisations were keen to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Both Ron, a former editor of the Kent Messenger and Kent Today, and Jon organised the event in addition to their normal workload.

The citation for their award said both men had “made a significant and valuable contribution to raising the awareness of young people tackling crime and disorder and the development of partnership working”.

Ron and Jon were among several unsung heroes to receive awards from Kent Police.

Ron said: “Lining up with people who got awards for talking down suicides or disarming people wielding knives or guns, I did feel a little out of place. But nevertheless I’m grateful for it.

“As editor I’ve written lots of editorials about giving kids a fair deal and they do get a bad press. We wanted to find a way to redress the balance and it did tease out some good stories and has been worthwhile.”