Gloucestershire neighbourhood policing teams tackle local issues with key arrests
Local officers and PCSOs showcase their vital role in the community
Last week marked Neighbourhood Policing Week across England and Wales, recognising the essential roles of neighbourhood officers and PCSOs in local communities.
Gloucestershire's neighbourhood policing teams are often the first point of contact for residents, and their relationship with the community plays a crucial part in addressing issues such as anti-social behaviour, street-level drug dealing, and shoplifting.
The close ties neighbourhood officers have with local people allow them to gather vital intelligence, preventing and solving offences effectively. They also collaborate with partners in the health service, local government, and other agencies to protect vulnerable individuals.
Notable recent operations by Gloucestershire teams include the arrest of a man suspected of drug dealing in a Gloucester skate park and a plain-clothed operation in Walton Cardiff targeting similar offences.
Efforts in the Forest of Dean led to two arrests and the seizure of £500 worth of cocaine. Additionally, Tewkesbury saw the charging of a woman linked to 25 shoplifting incidents.
In Gloucester, proactive measures resulted in the arrest of two people and the confiscation of 24 E-bikes and scooters. Burglary charges were brought against two men in the Forest of Dean and Cheltenham.
The teams have also aided partner agencies in enforcement actions. Trading Standards seized approximately £13,000 worth of suspected counterfeit clothing and conducted visits to vape shops. Border Force arrested eight individuals for immigration offences at a local construction site.
Senior officers hosted a conference focusing on collaborations with Crimestoppers, the Home Office’s Prevent programme to counter extremism, and the Your Community Alert scheme.
Chief Superintendent Rebecca Love, Head of Local Policing, expressed pride in the neighbourhood policing teams.
"Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams are typically made up of officers and PCSOs who are from the communities they serve," Chief Superintendent Love said.
“They care deeply about keeping their communities safe and work hard day in, day out to prevent crimes and resolve the types of disputes and tensions that all communities experience.
“Being a neighbourhood officer or PCSO requires skill and knowledge as they will regularly manage a large variety of issues and incidents, some of which can be quite complex.
“Last year, we invested in additional neighbourhood police officers across the county, in both urban and rural areas, while every one of our communities now has a named contactable neighbourhood policing officer which they can look up on our website.
“We are proud of our Neighbourhood Policing Teams and are pleased Neighbourhood Policing Week gives us the opportunity to shine a spotlight on their invaluable contribution to policing in Gloucestershire.”