Police Community Support Officers

What is a Police Community Support Officer?

Police Community Support Officers are members of support staff employed, directed and managed by their Police Force. They will work to complement and support regular police officers, providing a visible and accessible uniformed presence to improve the quality of life in the community and offer greater public reassurance.
PCSOs are not replacement police officers but are there to address some of the tasks that do not require the experience or powers held by police officers, which often take officers away from more appropriate duties.

Are they like special constables, traffic wardens or local authority neighbourhood wardens?

Just as PCSOs are not the same as police officers, they are not the same as special constables, traffic wardens or local authority wardens. They are a unique role designed purely to tackle local anti-social behaviour and issues affecting the quality of life. Police Forces continue to support special constables who have the same powers as police officers. While PCSOs will be providing a visible and regular patrol, unlike neighbourhood wardens, they are employed by the police and have some powers provided by an Act of Parliament to allow them to directly tackle some anti-social behaviour issues.

Why are Police Forces employing Police Community Support Officers?

Public demand for visible patrols has never been greater. There are new opportunities arising from the Government's reform of policing to provide additional capacity to better meet the demand and deliver a service your communities expect and deserve.

What do they do?

Their primary purpose is to improve the community and offer greater public reassurance. In support of regular police officers they will work within a targeted patrol area to provide a visible and accessible uniformed presence; work with partners and community organisations to address anti-social behaviour, the fear of crime, environmental issues and other factors which affect the quality of people's lives. For example; reporting vandalism or damaged street furniture, reporting suspicious activity; providing crime prevention advice, deterring juvenile nuisance and visiting victims of crime.

Where will they work?

Within all Divisions. They will work in a range of locations that may include areas experiencing a particular problem, particular estates or streets, or rural parishes. this will be determined primarily by the divisional commander. PCSOs will be part of the team that is managed by the community policing sergeants. They will have radios and have access to all appropriate Police information systems.

What powers will they have?

All PCSOs will have the following powers:

• Issuing of fixed penalty notices (e.g. riding on footpath; dog fouling; litter)
• Power to confiscate alcohol and tobacco
• Power to demand the name and address of a person acting in an anti-social manner
• Power of entry to save life or prevent damage
• Removal of abandoned vehicles

Additional powers are being considered by central government.

Please click on an area name for details regarding your local PCSO.

Abertillery Neighbourhood Policing Team

Abertillery, Cwmtillery, Llanhilleth, Six Bells

Brynmawr Neighbourhood Policing Team

Blaina, Brynmawr, Nantyglo

Ebbw Vale Neighbourhood Policing Team

Badminton, Beaufort, Cwm, Ebbw Vale North, Ebbw Vale South, Rassau

Tredegar Neighbourhood Policing Team

Georgetown, Sirhowy, Tredegar Central & West