A new Police and Community Support Officer (PCSO) has joined the Copeland Neighbourhood Policing Team after completing their training at the force’s headquarters.
PCSO Claire Light will be joining the team covering Cleator Moor alongside Community Beat Officer Kai Diesveld and Sarah Pickering-Smith and has already been out on patrol on her patch.
PCSO light attended the Whitehaven’s Cultural Fringe Festival on 26 October with PCSO Mark Fishpool who both received positive feedback that the children attending had a lovely time with the PCSOs. She has also been to St James Junior school to conduct talks with children on how to stay safe around Halloween.
Over the next few weeks will be introducing herself to our communities, local business, and partners.
PCSOs support the work of the constabulary by providing a visible and reassuring presence on the streets. They work closely with colleagues and partners in the community to provide an approachable uniformed presence with the aim of addressing crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour, thus improving the quality of life in local communities.
Copeland Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Dave MacDonald said “PCSO Light has already been out in the community engaging with our communities.
“She joins the wider Neighbourhood Policing Team to understand and tackle issues in the Cleator Moor area such as anti-social behaviour.
“If you see any of our officers out on patrol, please say hi and speak to them about any issues. We also hold meetings within the community which you can find advertised on our social media and website in the ‘Your Area’ section.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “It’s always incredibly positive to have a new PSCO join the organisation.
“PCSOs are always thought of very highly in local communities and their role is vital to building local relationships, trust and confidence in how we police – especially in some of our outlying towns such as Cleator Moor- whilst helping to reduce anti-social behaviour before it grows into a criminal concern.
“When I was elected, one of my key pledges was, and still is, to ensure more visible and community policing. Neighbourhood Policing Teams, of which PCSO’s are a component part are vital to this pledge which is why it is always incredibly positive to see them grow.
“I’m sure PCSO Light will do a fantastic job and I look forward to hearing more about her work in the community.”
The work of the Neighbourhood Policing Teams is supported by Operation Enhance.
The operation sees extra police patrols in areas identified as hotspots, such as Cleator Moor for anti-social behaviour and/or serious violence across the count after the Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner secured an additional £1m of extra funding from the Government’s Hotspot Response Fund.
We are keen to hear the thoughts of people who live and work in these hotspot areas – please take five minutes to complete this survey: https://forms.office.com/e/srjy010hfq
You can find out more about your local neighbourhood team by visiting: Your area | Cumbria Police and typing in your postcode or address.
If you'd like to discuss any issues with your local PCSO, please go to meeting and event page for details.