Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2006 | Page 57

There’s been a lot of
publicity about the
“extended police
family” particularly
the role of the Police
community support
officer. Under
neighbourhood
policing, local officers
are now supported by
a number of PCSOs,
but who are they,
what do they do
– and who qualifies
to join the ranks?

Vintage wedding car
for elegance and style

Grass roots
policing

Question: What are
Police community support
officers (PCSOs)?
Answer: Uniformed staff who
support police officers in their local
community, by assisting in areas
that need a certain level of police
presence - but not necessarily
the expertise of a trained officer.
Their value is in freeing up some
of the time police officers might
spend on routine tasks or lowlevel crime issues, and providing a
valuable service to the community.
Question: What areas do
they get involved in?
Answer:
• Providing a visible, reassuring
presence within communities
• Attending incidents of disorder,
nuisance and anti-social behaviour
• Dealing with community issues
such as littering and dog fouling
• Checking out abandoned vehicles
• Gathering evidence
through observation
• Helping with missing
persons enquiries
• Speaking to young people
who might be drunk and causing
problems, and confiscating alcohol
and tobacco, if necessary
• Crowd control and directing
traffic at public events
• Helping direct traffic at
roadblocks or accident scenes
• Assisting police in recording
names and addresses or
door-to-door enquiries.
Question: What’s their
everyday role?
Answer: PCSOs spend most of

their time out on patrol, usually
on foot or a bicycle. They work
in pairs or small teams, in liaison
with their police officer colleagues.
In some forces, they team up
with officers, managed by a police
sergeant. Whilst they don’t have
the same powers of arrest as police
officers, they do have the right to
detain suspected offenders for up
to 30 minutes until a police officer
arrives. They carry radios so that
they can communicate with police
control rooms and other colleagues.
Question: What skills
does a PCSO need?
Answer:
• Good communication skills
to deal with a range of people,
including those who may be
drunk, hostile or upset
• A confident, mature
and assertive manner
• An ability to accept discipline
• Good teamwork skills
• Accuracy in completing
paperwork
• A willingness to get involved
in sometimes difficult situations
• Stamina for long
periods of foot patrol
• A respect for the confidential
nature of police work.
The Island is seeking at least 30
more PCSO’s by April 2007, so if
you have these skills and want
to help your local community,
then contact Inspector Mark Bell
at Newport Police Station (01983
538663) for an informal chat.

Island Life - www.islandlifemagazine.net

Above: Newly weds
Mr & Mrs Christopher
Berners pictured at
Carisbrooke Castle.
Below: Newly weds
Mr & Mrs David
Stanford pictured at
Swainston Manor.

Here’s a sure-fire way to turn heads on your big
day – a vintage motor complete with ribbons,
champagne and of course a chauffeur...
For
truly
old-fashioned
glamour and style, it’s hard
to beat rolling up on your big
day in a vintage Austin. And
it couldn’t be easier, thanks
to a great little business
called Back in Time – which
can offer not just one of the
lovely cars, but a pair if you
want them!
These stunning 1940’s cars were
snapped up by Mike & Carol Shales
when Mike took early retirement
from the Post Office after years
of delivering in Seaview, and was
looking for a career change. Now
the ex-postman’s day is filled with
looking after these fabulous cars,
which he keeps in immaculate
condition. Based in Haylands, Ryde,
Mike and Carol pride themselves on
providing a personal service, which
allows clients to book the cars for
the whole day. This means they
can have several trips at no extra

cost - so even grandma can turn up
in style.
Hire prices for the cars, which
come adorned with stunning cream
ribbons and bows on the bonnet and
boot, start from just £265 for one
car, or £500 for the pair. The Shales’
customer care is second to none,
with complimentary champagne
and
immaculately
dressed
chauffeurs. Carol will even ensure
that the flower colour scheme in
the car perfectly complements the
bride’s chosen colour theme, and
the chauffeur will take the party
to an area of outstanding natural
beauty so the photographer can
take the most amazing shots for
the wedding album. The great thing
about Mike and Carol is that they
really appreciate what an important
day this is for couples and will do
everything in their power to provide
a truly individual and personal
service. For further details please
contact Mike or Carol on
01983 562179

57