Warwickshire Police

Introduced in December 2002 Warwickshire was one of the first forces to introduce Community Support Officers as part of a Home Office initiative to reduce the fear of crime.

11 PCSO, which included 1 Supervisor, were first introduced spread throughout the County. Their primary roles were High Visibility Foot Patrols, and being the Eyes and Ears for the Police.

Initially based at Stratford, Leamington, Coleshill, Rugby, Nuneaton, Atherstone and Bedworth they quickly became an integral part of the Police family.

The Internal Review undertaken in June 2003 showed that the public’s reaction was favourable and that they wished to see more. As a result of this review certain changes were made to develop the role even further. In Sept and Oct 2003 a further 13 were taken on bringing the numbers up to 24 which included an additional Supervisor.

Funding was obtained from Welcome Break for a PCSO at Corley Services, the first PCSO nationally to be based at and funded for a motorway service area.

Warwickshire were unique in having dedicated Supervisors in uniform to help with the development of this new role and ensure that PCSO were not tasked to undertake things beyond their remit as laid down by the Home Office.

Throughout 2004 further funding was obtained and by Spring 2005 the total PCSO numbers were 63 which now includes 5 Supervisors and a Manager. PCSO are now deployed throughout Warwickshire at Leamington, Warwick, Stratford, Southam,Wellsbourne,Henly in Arden,Shipston on Stour, Alcester,Studley,Kenilworth,Coleshill, Atherstone, Nuneaton,Bedworth,Corley Services and Rugby.

A second review of PCSO's was conducted early in 2006 which again showed the effectiveness of the role of PCSO.

PCSOs were seen on Cycles for the first time in 2006 overcoming the problem of them getting to and from their beats.

In 2006 agreement was reached with the Home Office for further expansion of PCSO numbers to achieve 124 by April 2007.

In October 2006 Warwickshire Police were successful in securing a further 15 PCSOs to be recruited by the end of April 2007.

November 2006: All PCSOs now dedicated to Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT)which was launched in the County on the 21st November 2006.

The Home Office announces a minimum standard set of powers for all PCSOs to reduce the confusion that exists with the public about their powers.This will be introduced towards the end of 2007.

As a result of this the Basic Training for PCSOs undertaken at HQ has risen to 5 weeks commencing October 2006.

March 2007: PCSO recruitment finishes with the total now standing at 140 which now included for the first time 2 Job Share positions at Rugby.

April 2007: 2nd Welcome Break Funded Motorway Services PCSO appointed at Barn Hill Services M40, following the success of the Corley PCSO.

August 2007: All PCSOs receive training on expected new powers to be announced in December.

December 2007: Goverment confirms 20 standard powers for all PCSOs. Warwickshire PCSOs go live on December 1st.

January 2008:PCSO Supervisor post dis-established. SNT Sgts take over responsibility for all PCSO activities and tasking.

January 2008: New PCSO recruits course increased to 6 weeks because of the development of the role within the force.

July 2008 6 Safer Schools PCSOs appointed dedicated to 6 identified secondary schools throughout the county.

July 2008 PCSO Basic Training increased to 7 weeks, following suggestions by students,to include allocated time to be spent on the districts they are to be deployed too.

September 2008 5 Anti Social Behaviour PCSOs appointed. Each ASBO PCSO will be allocated to a District and responsible for tackling and assisting SNT teams in tackling ASB using other agencies and previously proven successful methods used elsewhere in the county.