PCSO Brings Down Service Station Crime
CAR CRIME at the Welcome Break Services in Wheatley, has dropped since the employment of the area’s latest Police Community Support Officer(PCSO).
The Service Station has employed Chris Ratcliff, aged 23, who has been patrolling the service station off the M40 near Wheatley now for six weeks, and already thefts from cars parked at the services are down in number.
Chris, who used to work as a mechanic for a motor sport team, said: ?Since working at the station I have assisted in three arrests, worked with the staff at the petrol station on how to deal with people driving off without paying for petrol and generally interacting with the public, either on parking issues or simply giving people directions.
?My role at Welcome Break is slightly different to the other PCSOs in Oxfordshire as the people I deal with change everyday. As well as being here for Welcome Break, I also assist officers if they need help with an incident or operation.?
Crime Reduction Officer, Lesley Nesbitt, works closely with Chris on crime prevention initiatives and events at the service station. She said: ?The presence of Chris at Welcome break services has had a dramatic effect on the number of thefts from motor vehicles being reported from the service station area to just one per month.
?I work closely with Chris and other PCSOs on the Thame police area on crime reduction events, initiatives, and community safety issues. This is a great example of partnership working between Thames Valley Police and Welcome Break services to reduce the incidents of crime within the area.?
David Robinson, Group Security Manager for Welcome Break Services, said: ?Welcome Break continues to take the lead in providing safe environments for our customers and colleagues at our motorway service stations. Following on from the success of employing the first ever PCSO over two years ago at Corley we are delighted that Chris Ratcliff has joined the team at Oxford.
PCSOs perform a valuable duty; they are a highly visible presence and as a result deter a lot of criminal activity. Whether it is advising people not to leave valuables in their parked cars or helping people inside the service area, they are an additional pair of eyes and ears of the police service, to brief, observe and report. Chris has fitted in very well with the other members of staff and is an excellent addition to the Welcome Break team.?
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