Mr Yip, who runs an established Chinese Takeaway business, will be honoured at a special ceremony in London today (March 26th), where he will accept £1,000 prize money on behalf of South Gloucestershire Council.
The prize money will be used to commission a piece of work as part of a local Youth Service project to raise awareness and educate young people on issues including anti-social behaviour, hate crime, crime reduction, drugs and alcohol and constructive use of leisure time. The remainder will be put towards funding additional security measures.
Safer South Gloucestershire’s anti-social behaviour team nominated Mr Yip for the award because they were so impressed with the way he has faced up to appalling and persistent incidents and attacks and worked with them and the police to turn the situation around.
From January last year, Mr Yip became the target of a gang of youths who regularly subjected him, his family and business to vandalism, racist graffiti, intimidation, racist gestures and abuse. This had an adverse effect on both their health and day-to-day lives when turnover for the takeaway went down when many long-standing customers felt too scared and intimidated to carry on supporting the business.
Philippa Isbell, of Safer South Gloucestershire’s anti-social behaviour unit, said: “Mr Yip has worked with and put his trust in us over the past year - gathering evidence, giving statements and helping my team and the police to address the shocking and unacceptable behaviour targeted at him. His support has enabled us to secure anti- social behaviour orders against the ringleaders and some of his lost customers are feeling confident enough to come back without the fear of being initimidated.
“Mr Yip’s willingness to be nominated for this award is testimony to the example he has set for the rest of the Cadbury Heath community. He has reinforced the message that, by working with us to tackle aggressive, threatening, nuisance and drunken behaviour, an individual can help their community to get back the peace of mind and security it deserves. The confidence being restored to Cadbury Heath residents and businesses has also had a positive impact on young people in the area.”
Sector Inspector Angus Krouwel of Avon and Somerset Police added: “Since the ASBOs have been in place, there has been a dramatic drop in incidents reported to us in the Cadbury Heath area. Despite suffering sustained racist abuse, Mr Yip has offered to talk with the offenders to help them to understand his position and help educate them on multi-cultural issues. His lack of bitterness and willingness to help others stands in strong contrast to the intolerance and aggression he has been subjected to.”
ENDS