Minister for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, has joined police officers on patrol in Barry, gaining an insight into the work they do day-in, day-out to keep communities safe.
The ride along and shadowing of officers followed the Minister’s desire to gain a deeper understanding into the types of issues the response unit deals with as they are called to live incidents while on duty.
A spokesperson for the Welsh Government said: “Policing is not devolved to Wales, but the Minister for Social Justice does have responsibility for community safety. Welsh Government and Policing in Wales therefore have a long and productive history of partnership working with the united aim of keeping Wales safe and to serve communities.
“Ministers have also committed to investing in Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) across Wales which provide a vital link between neighbourhoods and the police.
“PCSOs work with police officers and share some, but not all of their powers. Acting as eyes and ears on the ground for forces, they take a problem-solving approach to develop long term and sustainable solutions to issues and build local relationships through various initiatives that create a sense of security in communities.
“A vital tool in policing to ensure communities are safe and protected, they work with the most vulnerable, providing advice and support to the general public about a wide variety of community safety issues.
“Some of the areas PCSOs support frontline policing with include stopping speeding outside schools, reporting vandalism and reducing anti-social behaviour.”
Police community support officer powers – source UK Government:
- Issue fixed penalty notices for cycling on a footpath
- Issue fixed penalty notices for littering
- Issue fixed penalty notices in respect of offences under dog control orders
- Require name and address for anti-social behaviour
- Require name and address for road traffic offences
- Require persons drinking in designated places tosurrender alcohol
- Require persons aged under 18 to surrender alcohol
- Seize tobacco from a person aged under 16
- Seize drugs and require name and address for possession of drugs
- Enter and search any premises for the purposes of saving life and limb or preventing serious damage to property
- Stop and seize vehicles used to cause alarm
- Remove abandoned vehicles
- Stop cycles for riding on a footpath
- Control traffic
- Carry out road checks
- Power to place signs
- Enforce cordoned areas
Jane Hutt said: “I want to thank the officers at Barry Police Station for sharing their experiences with me, and for the important and valued work they do every single day to keep us all safe.
“Policing is such an important part of our communities. Our Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers play a vital role in ensuring people in every part of Wales feel protected.
“Spending time with them on patrol has allowed me to understand the different incidents they are called out to and how these relate to areas the Welsh Government has responsibility for, such as health and social care.
“Our aim is to ensure communities in Wales are strong and safe, with the resources they need to cut crime.”
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