A BISHOP'S Stortford police officer is in the running for a county award after being praised for her enthusiasm and commitment to her work.
Thursday 22nd May 2008
Clare Andrews is the East Herts winner of the Police Community Support Officer of the Year.Clare narrowly missed out on a nomination last year but has maintained her enthusiasm and commitment to serving her neighbourhood making her a worthy nomination this year, the force said.
Bishop's Stortford inspector Andy Piper said: "Clare is one of the most motivated, committed and high performing PCSOs in East Herts, providing reassurance and high visibility support to her neighbourhood residents."
Clare took on a lead role in reducing neighbourhood tensions following the triple killings in Plaw Hatch Close, in Bishop's Stortford, last August, and has led intelligence gathering and put together evidence to secure an alcohol ban in one of her neighbourhoods for anti-social behaviour and underage drinking.
THREAD MEMBERS ONLY
May 22 2008 By Catherine Lillington
POLICE support officers Rob Wragg and Karen Sutton are putting the beat into being beat bobbies. The PCSOs have recorded their very own podcast, or plodcast, from their station in Longbridge.
Jingles feature the theme tunes of 70s cop shows The Sweeney and Z Cars.
And the playlist includes Judas Priest’s Breaking the Law and I Fought the Law by The Clash.
The cyber jocks said they have had a good reaction from listeners after the first show went out on community podcast radio.
"I took to it quite naturally," said 46-year-old Rob, from Stourbridge.
"It’s probably because I’d done public speaking in the past after spending four years as a councillor in Hampshire. But I’d never even considered becoming a DJ before.
"We play a lot of music and one of my favourites is Judas Priest’s Breaking the Law."
Karen, aged 47, from Stirchley, said if she could invite anyone on to the show it would be literary great Oscar Wilde.
She added: "The reaction from people has been really good. It’s surprising how many people have listened to it. People don’t expect police to do something like this."
Rob became a PCSO after serving as a police officer so he could spend more time on the beat.
He said: "I enjoy my job very much. People absolutely love to see us on the street. They stop and talk to us and have so much respect for us.
"Any way we can communicate with the public, whether it’s on the radio or walking down the street, is to be welcomed."
As well as playing music, the pair also give out advice on crime prevention and information about community groups and upcoming events.
* To listen in on the broadcasts go online to http://www.communitypodcastradio.co.uk THREAD
