Warwickshire bids for more PCSO's

Warwickshire Police have submitted a bid to the Home Office for an additional 40 Police Community Support Officers to join the existing 47 they already have in post. If successful this will boost the number of PCSO's visibly patrolling Warwickshire’s towns and villages to 87.

David Shirley, Community Support Officer Coordinator explained

"PCSO's are already making a positive contribution in much of the county not only by enabling us to provide a greater visible police presence but by getting actively involved in resolving matters that are causing concern to the local community.

"This can include issues such as graffiti, abandoned vehicles, anti-social behaviour, and nuisance youths. PCSO’s also play an active part in monitoring Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO) and Agreed Behaviour Contracts (ABC) to ensure they are being complied with."

In Rugby for example, PCSO Claire Porter has responded to the problem of nuisance youths around the town’s library, particularly on the late night opening, by increasing the number of visits she makes to the area and altering shifts so that she is on duty at the relevant times of day in order to advise and discourage the actions of the youths. As a result, the problem has reduced considerably.

Claire said

"As well as making the library staff feel a lot more comfortable about going to work, we also advised them on how to deal with these nuisance youths in a positive way."

PCSO Paul Gunnell will be supporting a policing operation in Studley to tackle a number of issues including anti-social behaviour. His high visibility foot patrol in the area will allow him to closely monitor the youths in question. He will also be making himself known to the local community and discussing any issues they may have.

Nuisance Youths are also a problem in Nuneaton, and PCSO Manisha Pandya has been talking to the local community to find out how she can help find a solution to the problem in the area.

Manisha said

"We have taken the time to talk to young people to find out what they want to do with their time and how we can help engage them in different activities."

Manisha will then work with other agencies to try and find a viable solution, such as Positive about Young People, Nuneaton and Bedworth Leisure Trust and the Council and housing offices.

Manisha said

"Most of the youths are just looking for somewhere to listen to music and hang out and we’re trying to find a suitable venue for them at the moment."

Warwickshire Police was one of the pioneer forces to take on PCSO's in December 2002 and was the second force in the country to have PCSO's patrolling the streets.

Warwickshire now has PCSO's making a positive contribution to the local communities of Coleshill, Atherstone, Bedworth, Nuneaton, Rugby, Corley Services, Kenilworth, Leamington, Warwick, Southam, Stratford and Alcester.

If you are interested in becoming a PCSO with a starting salary of around £16k, we are currently recruiting. To request a recruitment pack, please dial 01926 415000 and ask for extension 2228. The closing date for completed applications is 8 October. More information can also be found on this website by clicking here.