Neighbourhood Policing Week 2025 - Meet PCSO
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“If you can help just one person and make a profound difference to their life, that feelgood factor makes you realise why you do the job.”
As part of Neighbourhood Policing Week we’re showing what our Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) are doing to make communities safer and address local concerns.
We know how concerned many of you are about shoplifting, and Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Sarah Bailey has been playing a key role in addressing this sort of crime in Stratford.
She’s becoming a familiar face in Maybird Shopping Park; recognised by many customers, shopworkers and local shoplifters. She’s also supporting retailers and Stratford District Council with an app that enables businesses at Maybird to share information on suspects and offenders.
PCSO Bailey said: “It’s a real step forward to tackle shoplifting for businesses to be able to share information with each other swiftly when they identify shoplifters or people committing antisocial behaviour. We see the information too so that police can help with addressing issues and investigating offences. A lot of the businesses we’re working with have been delighted with the impact and many have told me they have seen losses from shoplifting reduce dramatically.”
What keeps Sarah getting up for work in the morning after over 18 years as a PCSO? “It’s the best job I’ve ever had, I absolutely love it, everything about. I love the thought of being out in the community making a difference.”
