PCSOs in Charnwood working in the community

Police Community Support officers (PCSOs) across the Charnwood Neighbourhood Policing Area are taking their community engagement to local businesses including café’s across the area.

Community engagement and visibility is a key part of the role of a PCSO. They regularly consult with local communities to find out their concerns and work with other members of their beat team to act upon them or involve other agencies in finding a solution. Instead of holding formal beat surgeries, which are not always well attended, Sergeant Leon Kirkpatrick thought it would be a good idea to get local PCSOs to sit in busy café’s so that local residents can sit in comfort and chat through any issues or concerns they might have.

It’s also a great way for members of Charnwood’s Dedicated Neighbourhood Teams to be visible and get to know people.

Officers and PCSOs are now equipped with computers that can be used at any location so they can sit in a café and catch up on emails and paperwork. They will have a sign on the table telling people that they are working and they are free to talk. Obviously if anything needs to be discussed in confidence the officer can arrange that too.

Sergeant Leon Kirkpatrick said; “Rather than sit in the police station doing paperwork where no one can see them I thought it made better sense for our PCSOs to sit in a busy location in the heart of their neighbourhood and make themselves available to talk and chat with local people. Last week an officer sat in a cafe for two hours and spoke to 26 people so it is already proving popular.

“It is a great way of breaking down the barriers between the police and the public and will show local residents that their local officers are easily available should they have a question or just want to say hello and find out who their local team is.

“So, if you see an officer in a café using a lap top then they are working and are happy to talk to you – just go and say hello.”