Additional twenty PCSOs recruited

Police recruit an additional twenty Police Community Support Officers for Warwickshire

Warwickshire Police has just recruited an additional twenty new Police Community Support Officers nine of whom will start training with Warwickshire next Monday, 26 July. It's hoped the remaining eleven recruits will start their training with the force at the end of August.

Dave Shirley, Community Support Officer Coordinator explained "This brings the total number of PCSO’s in Warwickshire to 47. Thirteen of the new recruits will be based in the north of the county and seven in the south - their exact locations are yet to be confirmed."

The primary role of the PCSO’s is to provide a high visibility foot patrol and to tackle community issues that affect people’s quality of life such as anti-social behaviour and nuisance youths. They liaise with other agencies such as the council to resolve ongoing problems, and gather intelligence for the force. PCSO’s play an important role in stimulating interest and enthusiasm for Neighbourhood Watch and encouraging people to play an active part in keeping their communities safe by keeping a watchful eye on each other's property.

Dave continued "In Leamington we had a problem with people sleeping rough in the parks which restricted people’s enjoyment of them. PCSO Wendy Burrows worked with our partner agencies to organise accommodation for these people and as a result the park has been given back to the community.

"In Rugby, PCSO Sally Wolanaski worked together with other agencies to produce a video offering practical advice for the elderly on how to avoid becoming the victim of a distraction burglary and advice on door to door salesmen. The video is being distributed to the elderly in Rugby and has been well received.

"This is the sort of thing the PCSO can get involved in. They are looking for issues that cause concern for the local community and look at how they can address the problems."

The coverage of a PCSO is not restricted to our towns and cities. Rugby PCSO Lean Norris goes out with a mobile library service to ensure the villages receive a uniformed presence. This is also happening in the Stratford area.

Warwickshire partners currently employ three part funded Police Community Support Officers at Corley Service Station, Nuneaton and Stratford.

Dave said "Sometimes an organisation will contact the police because they feel there is a need to employ a PCSO in a certain area of Warwickshire. The police then works with the organisation to provide a fully trained PSCO through a jointly funding approach. This is what happened at Corley Service Station where Kate Power became the first PCSO in the country to be based full time at a motorway service station to help drive down vehicle crime and theft and to reassure the public.

Dave added "The feedback from the general public on the benefits of PCSO’s is very positive. Every 12 months we review their effectiveness and both businesses and the public see them as an effective addition to the police family helping to reduce crime and the fear of crime in Warwickshire."

Issued by Hazel Nicholas Media & PR 01926 415065