A CARETAKER in Primrose Hill who has tackled drug dealers and other menaces is up for a prestigious award

Virginie Bauthier

A CARETAKER in Primrose Hill who has tackled drug dealers and other menaces is up for a prestigious award.

Stuart Doran works on estates in the area including Three Fields, Fairfield, Foxfield and Brierfield, where crime and anti-social behaviour have angered residents.

But because of his close work with the Safer Neighbourhoods Team in cleaning up the estates, Mr Doran is now in the running to be named Council Worker of the Year 2008.

"I am very happy and humbled to be nominated for this award," said the proud 45-year-old, who lives on the estates.

"It's really nice that the day-to-day work I do has been recognised in this manner. I hope everyone gets behind me and votes."

The brave actions the caretaker has carried out include tackling drug dealers and users on the estates with the help of Safer Neighbourhoods officers, and logging incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour to help build evidence for prosecutions.

He has also been central to the drive to get CCTV on the estates, helping residents feel safer on their doorsteps.

In another heroic act, Mr Doran gave first aid to a tenant's visitor and cared for them while waiting for an ambulance and police teams to arrive.

On another occasion, he took a lead role by calling 999 when tenants had witnessed an assault but were too afraid to talk to the police.

He acted on behalf of the attack victim and also gave emotional support. After supplying police with CCTV of the incident, a successful prosecution was possible and the attacker was found guilty last March.

In recognition of all his valuable work, he has been put forward for the prestigious national award by Camden's caretaking supervisor Gary Nicholls.

He said: "The reason for this nomination is Stuart's consistent dedication to his role as a resident caretaker and his willingness to always go the extra mile when dealing with residents and the public.

"Staff in the district housing office and the council's community safety team highly regard Stuart's commitment to his job and reliability to respond to requests, which involve needing his assistance and knowledge of the properties and people on his estate."

Already Mr Doran has beaten off stiff competition to become one of six finalists out of nearly 100 nominations up and down the country in the Care and Commitment category of the Council Worker of the Year Awards.

BBC presenter Jeremy Vine will announce the winners at a gala dinner in July where a trophy and £250 prize money is on offer, and until then the public have the chance to vote. Visit www.localgovernmentchannel.com/awards for more information.

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