Search:

>> Advanced Search

Policing & Public Safety

• Accidents, emergencies and safety
  • Civil Protection
  • Syringes
• Crime and Law Enforcement
  • Anti-social Behaviour
  • Anti-Social Behaviour Incident Form
  • Crime prevention
  • Distraction Burglary
  • Neigbourhood Watch
  • Personal Safety
  • Crime Reduction
  • Vehicle Crime Reduction
  • Police
  • Community Support Officers
  • Nuisance
  • Bonfires
  • Noise
  • CCTV in South Bucks
  • Data Protection and CCTV
• Victim Support
  • Domestic Violence
• Thames Valley Police Response To Terrorist Incidents

Community Support Officers

What is a Police Community Support Officer?
Police Community Support Officers, commonly referred to, as a 'PCSO's are people who are employed by the Police Service to assist and support operational police officers by providing an additional uniformed presence on the streets. They are not police constables so they do not have the additional powers of arrest that the police can use.

They do wear uniforms like the police and have the same powers as you do to challenge unlawful acts and anti-social behaviour.

What is the role of a PCSO?
PCSOs within Thames Valley Policearea provide a uniformed, official presence in a particular area, helping improve the quality of life in that area by making people feel confident and reassured. Using their powers and working with partner agencies, like South Bucks District Council, and community organisations they can help address anti-social behaviour, the fear of crime, environmental issues (including vehicle obstruction) and other things that affect your quality of life.

What powers do they have?
Within the Thames Valley Police area these powers are:

Disperse groups and remove young persons to their place of residence (Anti -Social Behaviour Act 2003)
 
Issue fixed penalty notices for cycling on the pavement

Issue local authority fixed penalty notices for dog fouling and litter

Issue fixed penalty notices for disorder (to over 18s, and in some circumstances over 16s)

Seize alcohol from people in designated no drinking areas

Seize alcohol from young people

Seize tobacco from young people

Remove abandoned vehicles

Demand name and address of people acting in an anti-social manner
Enter property to save life or limb or prevent serious damage

Seize vehicles used to cause alarm etc

Carry out road checks

Stop vehicles for testing

Enforce cordoned areas (S. 36 Terrorism Act 2000)

Stop and search vehicles and items carried by persons under SS. 44 & 45 Terrorism Act 2000)

How are they deployed?
The PCSOs forms part of a 'neighbourhood team', led by a police inspector and is responsible for the policing of a particular area. They work alongside the beat constables in the team and are managed by police sergeants.

They are directed where to patrol on the basis of ‘tasking’ requests based on police and community intelligence. This will mean that they help combat crime and disorder and deal with other complaints from members of the public. They will normally work between the hours of 8am and 10pm daily.

Where do they work?
In South Bucks they are based at the four police stations: Burnham, Gerrards Cross, Beaconsfield police office and Iver. They will be deployed in the neighbourhoods that the police and the local authority have agreed have the greatest need for them.
How many   are there in South Bucks?
In South Bucks the full compliment, by June 2005, of PCSOs is 11 + one part time PCSO.
Who controls them?
The PCSOs are police employees and have the same conditions of service in respect of employment rights and disciplinary procedures as other police staff.

A protocol has been agreed by the police, South Bucks District Council and the county council to regulate the way that they operate.

Are they replacing the "Bobby" on the beat?
The PCSOs will not be replacing the police officers on their beats. Their primary role is to patrol on foot and to deal with low level anti-social behaviour. This should help reduce people's fear of crime and provide reassurance. By increasing the uniform presence in the community and providing assistance to the beat officers will allow them to make more effective use of their specialist powers and investigatory skills.

What do they look like?
The PCSO uniform within Thames Valley will consist of a cap hat with a blue band, a white shirt, a blue tie, a navy pullover and a fluorescent jacket with the wording POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICER, TRAFFIC and displaying the relevant local authorities' badges. They will have blue epaulettes displaying their identification numbers.

How do I contact them?
You can contact the PCSOs by ringing

Thames Valley Police’s non emergency telephone number: 0845 8505505

South Bucks District Council’s Community Safety Team:  01895 837365 or 837253

E-mail:      communitysafety@southbucks.gov.uk

In addition there are plans to introduce 'contact boxes' in a number of locations such as public libraries and at the District and parish council offices.