Officers on Patrol

Last week I had the opportunity of going on patrol one evening with two Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) around Haslingden and Helmshore.

As a big fan of the Police Academy Films, I was all ready to step into the shoes of Officer Mahony and take to the streets fighting crime. Although my antics were not up to Mahoney’s standard, I found the whole evening fascinating. I had not fully appreciated the role that the PCSO’s are undertaking in society. As well as being a permanent visible police presence on the streets, they also fulfil a vital community role. In Haslingden and Helmshore the local police have been working with Haslingden High School to improve the area. This has included, working with the school to improve the local environment. I was shown an area where, by cutting back bushes, elderly residents have been made to feel safer when using local shops in the evening. A small project you may think but one which has seen big results.

Back to Officer Mahony (Berry), I did not solve any crimes, however, I did get an insight into the challenges facing our community and ideas on how politicians can help to meet these challenges.