About Articles Dating F A Q Forums Funding HATOs 2007 N E W S Origins Our Friends PCSO role Powers Products Safer Neighbourhoods Trouble shooters The Archive UNISON About Articles Dating F A Q Forums Funding HATOs 2007 N E W S Origins Our Friends PCSO role Powers Products Safer Neighbourhoods Trouble shooters The Archive UNISON

Page 11 of 12               A R C H I V E S 2006 Beating the yobs By Gareth Bethell THE number of reports of anti-social behaviour in Pinehurst has almost halved, according to police, since the introduction of a neighbourhood policing team. Three new Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) have been on the beat since December and the public say they have made a real difference. PC Vicky Floyd, community beat manager for north Swindon, is pleased with the progress made. The neighbourhood policing team is a pioneering new scheme to tackle anti-social behaviour. Launched in Pine-hurst, it kicked off with a clean-up of the area in December, carried out by the police and Swindon Council. PC Floyd said: "The three community support officers have been fully devoting their time and work to Pinehurst. "Since they started we have seen some tremendous work tackling antisocial behaviour. "This has been done by targeted foot patrols and identifying who is responsible. "I believe that over the last three months the number of calls made to the police reporting anti social behaviour in Pinehurst has almost halved." The new officers have been using a dispersal order and acceptable behaviour contracts to reduce the bad behaviour. There are seven of the behaviour contracts active in Pinehurst which are agreements drawn up between the youngsters and the authorities on how they will behave. PC Floyd said: "It's not just about punishing them but looking at the reasons behind the behaviour and putting in place a solution." The PCSOs have each been targeting trouble hotspots. Keith MacDonald is focusing on Clive Parade, Maria Giles concentrates on Wingate Parade and Craig Taylor works around Poplar Avenue and Acacia Grove. "The number of calls to the police regarding anti-social behaviour has drastically fallen," PC Floyd said. "And speaking to people they are pleased to see a uniformed presence." PCSO MacDonald agreed, saying: "I think the increased presence has cleared the area up and reduced the rate of crime in the area. "We are getting involved in the community and going to school assemblies to get ourselves known." 'It is much better' Gary Smith, manager of the One Stop Shop, in The Circle, which used to be the scene of some of the worst trouble, says the neighbourhood police team has helped clear-up the trouble. "It's getting better," he said. "It's nice to have more visibility of local police. "We did have problems outside here and there was obviously a lot of negative publicity around the area. "But now it's improving and it's reassuring that there's more police about. "I think that has been the major difference. The fact that there are now more police around on the streets obviously deters people." Ivy Gregory, 74, who lives in The Circle, said: "It used to be terrible but we haven't had any trouble lately. "I've lived here nearly all my life and it's quieter now than it's been for a while. "You do see more police than you used to and speaking to others it seems to have quietened down." 10:19am Thursday 30th March 2006 Archives    page 1,    page 4,    page 6,    page 7,   page 8,    page 9 MET PCSOS: St John’s Wood May 2005 JUST like their police officer colleagues, PCSOs come to the job from all walks of life. Paul Harvey, who started working at St John’s Wood at the tender age of 18, previously worked as a hotel porter. He has now been a PCSO for two years. Dad-of-two Mick Rowley, 32, gets ten times more job satisfaction from being a PCSO since giving up his job in security and finds the shift patterns more adaptable to family life. Sotoris Evangelou, 25, who dropped out of university before getting an admin job at the Cabinet Office, developed an interest in the police after working on a Home Office project. They may have very different backgrounds but they all share the same enthusiasm for their job. All three are part of the St John’s Wood Safer Neighbourhood (SN) team, which is also made up of a sergeant, four PCs and a fourth PCSO. PCSO Rowley said: “I love meeting people and what I like about this job is that there’s always something to do. Every day is different. “Residents around here are always saying they really like seeing us out and about. We see them all the time, so we get to know them. “I think some people find us more approachable than police officers because we don’t carry handcuffs or batons and that makes them more likely to tell us things. Confidence “Sometimes they want to report something but they’re not sure if they should be bothering a police officer with it.” PCSO Harvey, 20, said: “A large part of the job is about reassuring the public and being a uniformed presence on the streets. “We do a lot of small things that don’t mean much on their own but when you add them all up you find we’re making a real difference in the area.” St John’s Wood – a beat of about one square mile – is home to a real mix of people with multi-million pound mansions and deprived council estates a stone’s throw from each other. PCSO Rowley said: “Our biggest problems really are antisocial behaviour, kids hanging around in large groups looking intimidating, bag snatches, graffiti, that kind of thing. “When you have large groups of youths hanging around it makes some people afraid to walk past them, even if they have no intention of harming them. “Part of our job is talking to the kids and explaining to them that they appear threatening and to try not to be.” The PCSOs have seen a significant decrease in pick pocketing and bag snatches in the Saturday market since spending several weeks patrolling it, drumming home the message of keeping an eye on your bags and deferring would-be thieves just by being there. PC Jamie Piscopo, who is on the same SN team, said: “Some people think because PCSOs don’t have the powers police officers do, they can’t really do anything but that’s not true. “They’re not trained to use a baton or any kind of weapon but they have to turn that round to a positive. “The most important tool in this job is your mouth; knowing how to talk people down and diffuse potentially violent situations. “I have worked for the police for over ten years and in all that time I’ve only used my baton four times. “If you have to use a weapon when dealing with someone, then you’ve failed really. “You can often use your words and your knowledge to avoid aggressive situations.” Intuitive PCSO Rowley said: “An important quality for a PCSO is spotting when someone wants to tell you something, because sometimes they do but they’re not sure if they should. That’s really important because sometimes you need to coax information out of them.” PCSO Evangelou, who aspires to become a police officer, said: “This job is what you make it. If you were to wander around the streets all day, not paying attention, then that would be a very boring job and you’d go home thinking ‘What have I done all day?’ But if you pay attention, there’s always something to do, something you spot that’s not quite right and you get really involved.” PCSO Harvey said: “The training we get is good but to be honest, you don’t really learn the job until you get out on the streets and it’s a continual learning process. “Every day you get more confident.” PCSO Evangelou said: “I only started the job in February and I’ve been on three training courses already.” PC Piscopo added: “If a PCSO is keen and enthusiastic, they can be like a sponge and soak up all the information their police officer colleagues have picked up from their own training and experience. “As officers, we appreciate the work PCSOs do and we are never more than a few minutes away if they need back-up.” At nearby Marylebone police station, a team of PCSOs helps police one of London’s busiest areas. With 200 million visitors on foot every year, Oxford Street is always a hive of activity and a haven for pickpockets. Sector Insp Colin Carswell said: “The policing team for Oxford Street is made up of 36 officers and 13 PCSOs, fully integrated. They work the same shift pattern, parade together and work the same ground. Stand-out “A lot of their role is about high visibility policing and they have a raised podium at Oxford Circus which enables them to get a better view over an area full of very dense crowds and for people to see them. “Some of the problems we have in Oxford Street are pick pocketing and bag snatching and the PCSOs spend a lot of time going into cafés and shoe shops, pointing out to people they shouldn’t be leaving their bag unattended while they try something on, or leaving it open, hanging off the back of a chair where they can’t keep an eye on it.” He added: “PCSOs are not encouraged to get involved with violent confrontations but at the end of the day, when they’re out there wearing a uniform, people see them as representatives of the Met and will run to them for help.” CASE STUDY PCSOs walking past a secondhand computer shop in Whitechapel spotted a computer which had been stolen from their police office in the Royal London Hospital. Sgt Matthew Smith said: “PCSOs Royston Upson, David Crow and Faith Uguartay were patrolling in Fordham Street E1 when they walked past Microtek Systems. “This is a new enterprise which buys and sells secondhand computers. The officers noticed a computer on the counter that was the same make and model as our computer. PCSO Crow noticed an electrical test sticker on the screen that appeared to be the same as other stickers affixed to equipment in our office.” The shop owner said he had bought the computer a week earlier. The PCSOs called for assistance and returned to the office to gather evidence. PCSO Crow said: “It was definitely a case of being in the right place at the right time. “The PCSOs have got to know the area really well and people know us by our first names.” Sgt Smith said: “This was an outstanding piece of work, deserving of praise.” *A man was charged with handling stolen goods and released on bail.

GO TO forums Prison Officers PCSOs H A T O S Windsor Safari Park Horse Rangers sites Prison Officers H A T O S Police Community Support Officer GO TO forums Prison Officers PCSOs H A T O S Windsor Safari Park Horse Rangers sites Prison Officers H A T O S Police Community Support Officer

     national-PCSOs calendar 2007!

check out the brand new 2007 John Child calendar completed for PCSOs across the UK add your comments to the topic right now!!

12 crucial cartoons depicting real life PCSO scrapes, issues and commentary, this calendar is a must for all PCSO offices across the country!

PUT YOURS UP NOW!

John Child: "As the adverts say 'Community Support Officer, Could you?'. Well I couldn't which makes me highly respect anyone that has chosen this career. But what I can do is pay homage through cartoons that are an acknowledgement of the day to day situations that PCSOs have to put up with."

John Child is a Graphic Designer who passes PCSOs at London Charing Cross everyday.

He often wonders if the PCSOs he sees can guess he is the artist behind their calendars.

Friday 15th September 2006

don't miss our classic templates!! national-PCSOs classic templates range from Elektro in 2004 to WhatIsReal in 2007, have a look right now!

the 2005 legendary interview articles In 2005 half a dozen top national-PCSOs members made time to jot down exactly what they went through in their PCSO interviews!

MP praises ‘superb job’ by community officers
Published on 09/12/2006
By Andrea Thompson
COPELAND MP Jamie Reed has praised the work of local Police Community Support Officers, saying they make a real difference to people’s lives.

His comments follow news that the Home Office is investing £700,000 to recruit six extra PCSOs in Copeland.

He said: “Police Community Support Officers make a real difference to the lives of ordinary people in Copeland and this extra investment will further benefit Cumbria Constabulary which is already one of the best forces in the country.

“This new money will be used to fund more PCSOs in Copeland so that they can continue to improve the safety and security of our towns and villages.

“Our PCSOs do a superb job and I’m both proud and grateful of their hard work on our behalf,” said Mr Reed.

Copeland currently has three PCSOs in Whitehaven and one in Cleator Moor. The extra cash from the government means there will be 10 PCSOs in the borough by May 2007.

Mr Reed added: “The new investment represents a 41 per cent increase on current funding.

“As an area with one of the lowest crime rates in the UK we are well positioned to make even more progress. I’m particularly keen to make further progress in tackling antisocial behaviour and drug related crime.”

Mr Reed said during a recent charity Question Time debate for Children In Need that Whitehaven’s PCSOs were doing a brilliant job, particularly in engaging with young people.

The town’s three PCSOs – Georgina Bell, Katie McGordon and Naomi Maughan – are part of the new community police team whose mission is to create neighbourhoods that are safe and that feel safe.

PCSO Bell, who was one of the first officers to be recruited two years ago, said: “It is rewarding to get such praise.

“I have seen a big difference in the way we are received. In the early days it was difficult because people didn’t really know what we were about.

“We bridge the gap between the police and the public. We do high visibility patrols and provide public reassurance and are a point of contact so people know they can approach us.”

Although the PCSOs do not have the same powers as regular officers, they do tackle antisocial behaviour, youth disorder, neighbourhood disputes and low-level nuisance.

John Child cartoons! LOG ONTO HIS SITE RIGHT HERE for more cartoons and to contact him view his thread!

falkor     "Jon I heard on the grapevine that Worldwide Police Forums had a little run in with the Highways Agency the other day"

Jon     "You could say that mate"

falkor      "Jon - didn't you put up a PAGE on the WWP site showing HATO vehicles and personnel, only to be threatened with legal action?"

Jon      "Yeah, we started a forum for discussion about the Highways Agency and in particular for HATOs to come and let off steam, but the Highways Agency weren't having none of it."

falkor     "Really?"

Jon      "Yep, almost as a reaction to what we did, they instructed HATO's via notices, e-mails etc. that discussion of the "job" would result in disciplinary proceedings, and we don't expect people to risk their jobs for us, of course!"

falkor      "Changing the subject for a minute Jon how did WWP forums get started anyhow?"

Jon      "Well you know falkor it's weird, sometimes you wake from a crash out with a nugget of an idea, and that idea was WWP. I created the first one in April 05, but it wasn't a raving success due to a number of my own mistakes which I learnt from. To be honest I missed running the forum and I opened up again in August and I think things through a lot more now now than I did back then!!"

falkor      "You woke from a crash out?"

Jon      "Yeah after E/T mate - you crash out like"

falkor      "So true, I feel like a crash right now actually Jon"

Jon      "you do huh"

falkor     "Yep"

Jon      "during my interview?!!"

falkor     "Sorry - please continue"

Jon      "Well that's how it all started"

falkor      "Thanks Jon so if we return to the subject at hand, how on earth can the coverage of a solid issue like HATOs possibly be breach of crown copyright?"

Jon     "falk I have puzzled over this many days, I can't understand why the police can discuss things without it being a breach, but HATO's cannot!! What they trying to hide?!"

falkor     "Thanks, do you have any idea what HATOs think of this themselves?"

Jon      "I'm pretty sure they think it's as jumped up and jobsworth as me and many of my members!!"

falkor      "Jon I would like to thank you for this insight into the furore over the Highways Agency page, do you think it might ever be rebuilt?"

Jon      "Doubt it! And thanks for having me!! "

21.9.06 ............ 17:42          why not check out Jon at Worldwide Police Forums

John Child cartoons! LOG ONTO HIS SITE RIGHT HERE for more cartoons and to contact him view his thread!

The new style of bobby on the beat
By Wes Wright           09 May 2006 22:40
Greater Manchester Police has to make savings of more than £14 million this year. It means fewer police officers on the streets.
Wes Wright looks at the future of local policing.

THERE are men and women walking the streets of Bolton dressed almost exactly like police officers. But despite their official uniforms, these men and women have no more powers of arrest than an ordinary member of the public.

They do not carry handcuffs, and have no batons. They are civilians dressed to look like police. They are known as Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and there are more of them coming to the streets of Bolton.

No-one doubts the sincerity and work ethos of PCSOs, who have proved effective as the eyes and ears of the police in the town and throughout Greater Manchester.

But as their numbers swell the Government has made funds available for about 1,000 PCSOs for Greater Manchester experienced police officers are leaving and not being replaced.

According to the Police Federation, which represents every police officer below the rank of superintendent, about 220 officers will be lost from a Greater Manchester Police force of about 8,000 That means there will be 17 fewer officers in Bolton while numbers of non-warranted PCSOs will steadily increase.

One officer, who asked not to be named, said: "I have nothing against these men and women, but it really is policing on the cheap.
"From the people I speak to, the public really want more real police officers, not fewer, on the beat.
"They want the reassurance of a uniformed officer and the PCSOs, who don't have any of the powers of arrest that we have, can't give them that."

A request for an interview by the Bolton Evening News with GMP Chief Constable Michael Todd or any of his senior officers was declined. Instead, officials referred to a statement which said that the Greater Manchester Police Authority package of measures, including cuts, was agreed at a meeting on February 17.

It said: "GMP has to find more savings of more than £14 million in order to balance the budget in the coming year. This is in addition to the £50 million worth of efficiency savings which the force has made during the past three years.
"Every effort has been made to protect front-line policing.
"At today's meeting, the Chief Constable stressed that everything possible was being done to avoid compulsory redundancies and that redeployment and relocation were the options being actively pursued."

Police Federation spokesman Paul Kelly said the cuts this year will be about three to four per cent from a force of 8,000. He said: "Two years ago, the Chief Constable managed to get the officer numbers upped to 8,000 in GMP, under Project 8,000, largely paid for by an increase in the council precept.
"That precept is still in place but the Chief Constable has had to agree to cuts taking the total below 8,000.

"I don't blame the Chief Constable for this it's Home Office Minister Hazel Blears' fault. She is pushing up the numbers of PCSOs who have no police powers while, at the same time, we are losing police officers.
"I feel awful about what is happening. It's a real kick in the teeth to the public.
"If someone has problems with yobs and anti-social behaviour, they don't want a civilian they want a police officer who can do something about it."

Mr Kelly said the Government appeared to be giving extra cash with one hand and then taking it back with the other.

"The extra cash for more officers has had a huge effect on reducing all kinds of crime even traffic crimes have gone down," he said. But, according to Bolton police boss Chief Supt Dave Lea, the cuts will not affect frontline policing in the town. He said officers, along with PCSOs, council staff, outreach workers, neighbourhood managers, and other professionals will be based in areas where they are needed and where they will maintain a highly visible presence. He said technology and new methods of data analysis mean that policing is now much more efficient.

"In the past three years, we have learned more about what works and what is effective than we did in the past 30 years," he said.
"We have always had the information and data. Now, with software, we can analyse and evaluate to see very quickly what works and what doesn't work.
"Only 50 per cent of the money funding policing comes directly from the Government the rest is through a complicated series of Government and local authority grants, including the precept, crimefighting fund, European funding, and a myriad of other grants and money."

Det Supt Lea said he would rather have more warranted police officers than PCSOs, but he says PCSOs based at the UCAN centre in Halliwell with other crime-prevention agencies will be given powers to detain suspects this summer.

"I'm a pragmatist and I will work with what I have got," he said.
"In Bolton, we had already decided how we were going to do our policing.
"Because of the partnerships we have built up over the past few years, we already know what works and what doesn't work locally.
"In Bolton, the net effect will actually mean that many communities will actually experience an increase in officers, not a decrease.
"We will be losing 17 warranted officer posts in Bolton but we will be getting 31 PCSOs and all this comes at the same time I was starting to shape where we will deploy our officers. The police officers will not be lost immediately but slowly through natural wastage during the next 12 months.
"The PCSOs do a good job and provide a visible presence to the public."

Det Supt Lea said he has been honest with his staff over the impact of the cuts and he feels that they understand that everyone has to work together. And he warned criminals there will be no hiding place.
"We will continue to bring the fear of committing crime to criminals and I want to have them continually looking over their shoulders thinking we are coming to get them because we are," he said.
GMPA chairman Derek Osbaldestin said: "We have actually had a 3.2 per cent increase on our grant from the Government but this did not meet what the police thought were its requirements for this year."

He said the Government had a funding formula but that it was not being fully implemented. Had the formula been fully in place for GMPA it would have meant the extra £14.5 million they needed would have been available. He said: "Like everyone else, we have seen increases in our utility bills of about £1.5 million for heating and lighting for the 200 premises operated throughout Greater Manchester.
"We have had no increases in certain specific grants which have cost us about £1 million. We have had to fund the pay rises for staff and the resultant pension fund increases.
"We have also funded the building of new police stations these are relatively small amounts but they all add up."
He said that although there would be an overall reduction in staff, it would be nowhere near the 10 per cent cut in manpower that some critics were alleging.
"We are in the ongoing process of moving officers on recuperative duties doing backroom jobs back to the front line wherever possible.
"Their jobs would then by carried out by civilian staff."

The proposed cutbacks mean there could also be a reduction over a period of time of the numbers of horses and dogs used by the police.

Letters
Use the money on real police
You published a large advertisement feature (Oxford Mail, September 15). It included statements such as:

• "Depending on the Police Force you join"

• "Bring the Police closer to the community"

• "To provide a highly visible reassuring presence on the streets"

• "Interesting and varied role in the modern police service".

Well, I thought, only police constables join the police and all the other criteria certainly fit an advert for police constables. But the advert was for civilian Police Community Support Officers. Some unkindly refer to them as Plastic Counterfeit Police. From this advert, would it be that our police are about to abandon their role and the streets to civilian PCSOs, while they deal with important matters?

Will the PCSOs deal with cars vandalised at Rose Hill that the police couldn't deal with, and all the jobs the police state they have not the resources to cover? Having witnessed the PCSOs walking on the pavement with cycles whizzing past and not a word said, I must admit that I am not filled with confidence.

I would ask, as the police have never had so much of our money, taxes and council tax, and have never had so many police officers, a) where are all the officers and b) why do they need up to 500 PCSOs to do their job?

As we all pay the police wages, surely we are entitled to the best possible police service, NOT a civilian presence to put a uniform where the police should be.

If they can afford 120-plus PCSOs, why can't they use the money for, say, 90 real police officers.
DEREK SMITH, London Road, Headington, London
9:30am Friday 29th September 2006

Policing plans hit by shortfall
By News reporter
HOPES for better community policing across Ilminster, Chard, and Crewkerne have been hit by news that the Avon and Somerset force is cutting nearly 200 support officer posts from its future plans.

A gaping hole in the amount of money given to the Avon and Somerset Police Authority by the Government means it will be forced to cut the planned number of police community support officers for the force as a whole by 195.

Last week, councillors in Ilminster expressed their concerns on new arrangements for the so-called Neighbourhood Policing initiative to Insp Neil Pitman, of the Somerset East sector, which includes Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne.

Insp Pitman attempted to reassure councillors that high levels of cover would be maintained but councillors were worried officers would be overstretched.

Now the Avon and Somerset Police Authority, which is responsible for the force's funding, is also worried.

Its chairman Moira Hamlin said: "The announcement concerning the revision of PCSO targets for 2008 is of particular concern.

"It would reduce the number of PCSOs we expected to have by 195. The authority and force have been fully committed to Neighbourhood Policing, believing strongly that this is the right direction for policing our communities in the future.

"Over the last month we have taken our Neighbourhood Policing roadshow to five different areas in the force.

"The announcements concerning funding and the PCSO targets were only made last week, so we need to look very carefully at the full potential implications.

"In the meantime I am writing to all our MPs and I am also taking this up directly with the Policing Minister."

Dr Hamlin said she was also concerned that other specific Government funding streams and grants had been frozen in cash terms for the last two years.

After the funding announcement, Yeovil MP David Laws said: "This is very disappointing news for the police as it will mean less officers on the beat.

"Our police force has found PCSOs the ideal complement to regular officers in delivering services in the community and a reduction will leave a gaping hole in the constabulary's plans.

"I have written to the Home Secretary, John Reid, asking him to re-consider his position in light of the relative under-funding of Avon and Somerset Constabulary and the important role PCSOs play in our area," he added.

8:18am Sunday 17th December 2006

John Child cartoons! LOG ONTO HIS SITE RIGHT HERE for more cartoons and to contact him view his thread!

2006
BEE SAFE
ROAD SAFETY
My name is Mark Dixon and I am Police Community Support Officer with Lancashire Constabulary.

Over the past months I have worked alongside a school that is in the area I patrol to produce a road safety record.

The disc we have produced is called 'BEE DAZZLED'and is a unique initiative that incorporates music, fun and learning with serious messages about road safety to children in primary schools but can be utilised in many ways I feel that it can be used in many other ways to highlight road safety with other agencies who are involved with education and safety. In preparation for the darkening Autumn & Winter nights when children are clearly more at risk from being injured in road accidents, I decided to embark on an ambitious project of recording a song that would incorporate all the road safety messages targeted at primary school children. I have collaborated with local musician and composer, Carl Arnfield in devising the lyrics and tune to capture the imagination and attention of the children.
05 May 2006

More Police Support for Thames Valley
11:59 Friday 29 April 2005
Communities in Newbury and Thatcham West Berkshire will now receive even more attention from Thames Valley Police thanks to Police Community Support Officers hitting the streets in the county.

Five PCSOs are now pounding the streets of Thatcham and Newbury with a remit to offer support to the community and police officers while providing a visible presence across the area. Tash Groom, Ray Breach, Paul Smith, Lisa Marks and Andrew Scott are now out and about after completing their training. Lisa, Ray and Paul are based in Newbury while Tash and Paul will be out in Thatcham.

Tash, aged 22, has worked for Thames Valley Police for two years and trained to be a PCSO in Didcot, Oxfordshire, before moving to West Berkshire. She said: "I get an awful lot out of this job. One of the things I enjoy most is being able to speak to young people in Thatcham. People are quick to say they are pains but actually once you scratch the surface, they are good kids who just want someone to care and notice them and take an interest in what they are doing. We are spending a lot of time speaking to their parents and trying to get them to take more responsibility for where their kids are and what they are getting up to."

Andrew Scott, who at aged 51 has no qualms about admitting he is the 'granddad' of the group, joined up after working in a Newbury shop for many years. He said: "I am older but I think that is a real advantage as I am approachable to more senior members of the community. People who I used to see in the shop are always stopping me and asking me things, but I also really enjoy working with children and visiting the schools too. I always wanted to join the police but wasn't interested in the sharp end. I think the community side of it is very important and that is what we can offer."

Lisa Marks, 24, firmly believes PCSOs have much to offer the community: "I think people were at first a little suspicious of what we are doing, but now they understand our role, they trust us and realize that we can offer a more community-based service. I have never been one to stand on the sidelines and this job gives me the opportunity to get involved and give something back to the community."

Former local CCTV operator and security guard Paul Smith, 34, said: "The general reaction has been very positive. We provide a visual presence and reassurance to the community and that has great benefits for the Force and the community. People stop and tell us things and then we can act on that information or pass on intelligence. It is a very fulfilling role."

The role of the PCSOs is:

• To provide a uniformed, official presence in a specified area with the aim of improving the quality of life in the community, making its people feel confident and reassured.

• By the use of powers and working with partners and community organisations to address anti-social behaviour, the fear of crime, environmental issues (including vehicle obstruction) and other factors which affect the quality of people's lives.

• disrupt criminal activity by patrolling known crime hot-spots

• deter anti-social behaviour by patrolling known ASB hot-spots

• help return areas to normality following major crimes or critical incidents

• monitor compliance with ABCs or ASBOs

• assist in community engagement

• enforce designated no-drinking areas

Click Newbury News is the leading online news channel for Newbury, Berkshire

	FORUMS Prison Officers     PCSOs     H A T O S     Windsor Safari     Horse R
		SITES Prison Officers     H A T O S     Police Community Support officer