Community Support Officers: case studies

On 10th September 2020 the Neighbourhood Policing Team attended ‘Happy Valley’ foot crossing at Rhoose Point, Vale of Glamorgan following growing concerns from residents of children misusing this crossing.

We organised a meeting at the foot crossing which included representatives from the local community, Network Rail and South Wales Police officers. Following the meeting it was agreed that Network Rail and the Vale of Glamorgan Council look to close the crossing which would require an application for the closure of the right of way. Both agencies are working together to close this crossing.

Whilst we were there the team undertook a leaflet drop to highlight the dangers of level crossing misuse and the BTP text service number. Many residents spoke to officers about their concerns regarding the railway and we were also passed information regarding possible drugs dealing from a nearby house which we have passed to South Wales Police. We have also contacted the local schools and are in discussion with them on how best to speak to pupils regarding rail safety and we look forward to engaging with them soon whilst adhering to the covid legislations.

Thanks to intelligence gathered by CSO’s, visitors have been banned from a home in Ammanford where neighbours have suffered from persistent antisocial behaviour.

An order has been made preventing anyone apart from the occupant of from entering the property. Dyfed-Powys Police applied for the order following several months of work to tackle antisocial behaviour and disorder at the address.

PC Steve Morris said:

This successful application was the result of a targeted team effort following a number of incidents at the property. We have been called to the address numerous times over the past few months, and neighbours are at their wits end. With a restructure of neighbourhood policing, we have adopted a problem orientated policing mindset to really understand problem solving, and worked closely with Pobl Homes and Communities to address the concerns of the community.

This notice was the final action to target the ongoing antisocial behaviour at this address. Several previous attempts have been made to resolve the issues here by working with the tenant, but without any positive effect. The application was unanimously supported in Llanelli Magistrates’ Court and we were successful in getting a closure order in place.

Until midnight on October 2, 2020, anyone other than the one person named on the order, or a representative of Pobl Homes and Communities, formerly known as Gwalia, was banned from entering the property or communal garden.

The Neighbourhood Policing Team were confident the order would reduce the antisocial behaviour that was happening there, improving the quality of life for other residents and reducing demand on the force.

A closure order is a tool under the Antisocial Behaviour and Crime and Policing Act 2014 that gives police the ability to close a property to provide quick relief from the anti-social behaviour that has been occurring there. Closures can be made for 48 hours without needing to go to court for permission. When applied for through the courts, closure orders can be for up to three months, and extended to six if necessary.

Engagement in the park

Community Support Officers engage with the next generation on importance of reporting to the police.

Through proactive patrols of local parks and the creation of a quiz, work was undertaken to educate young people on the ways to report to Gwent Police. This included traditional forms of reporting through to the new developments in digital reporting.

18 children of different ages took part in the quiz, and as a ‘thank you’ for their participation received a free gift, generously donated by a local store.

This was a great opportunity for our officers to have face-to-face contact with young people from the local area, which due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has been difficult in recent months.

Moving forward, this approach is being taken in other areas including Energlyn and Lansbury Park.

Anglesey

With 8000 followers and the highest social media interaction in the force, the island CSO’s take full advantage of their local social media account. The team are working on innovative ways of using the technology, such as “virtual drop in” with the most vulnerable. With the unprecedented COVID restrictions such form of community contact is clearly invaluable.

As a result of an increase in bike theft in Cardiff city centre a PCSO volunteered to co-ordinate efforts to protect and return stolen property to their rightful owners, bring those responsible to justice and provide crime prevention advice to the communities we serve.

The PCSO has developed a system of searching crimes which have been reported, identifying CCTV opportunities for officers, and using his knowledge of the city centre to identify thieves from the footage. On a number of occasions his efforts have resulted in arrests, convictions and also bikes being returned to their rightful owners. As well as working with officers to bring those to justice the PCSO also provides crime prevention advice and guidance to cyclists in the city centre.