Her Majesty the Queen has awarded David Thomas, as President of Safe Communities Portugal, the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2016 New Year Honours List in recognition of “services to crime prevention and awareness within the British and international community in Portugal.”
Safe Communities Portugal was registered as an Association in December 2014 based on the development of Safe Communities Algarve which was formed two years earlier. The organisation works with the international communities in Portugal helping to maintain Portugal as a safe place to live and visit.
On hearing the news, David Thomas commented that “It is a great honour to receive this award. This, however, would not have been possible without the tremendous support from the community, as well as all the officials in the police, civil protection, other government departments, tourist boards, the embassies and consulates, the media and many other entities with whom Safe Communities Portugal has the pleasure to work with.”
"I also wish to add my thanks for all the help from those past and present members of the Safe Communities Portugal Board, advisors and other volunteers, who have given up their time to help maintain and develop the association and thereby helping the community.
Thomas added “It is always challenging to initiate and implement something that is new, is needed and which helps the community, as well as gaining support from government. To be able to achieve this by working with and meeting great people makes this all the more rewarding. The award therefore reflects these collective efforts.”
http://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/
