I decided to become a PCSO to get more heavily involved in the community.

to have a proactive policing role, something slightly different from the police force

so I could get into the heart of the community and make a difference,

because unfortunately the police officers are too busy nowadays

to have to deal with the slightly lesser crimes, the smaller crimes rather

that go on within the local communities, such as people loitering, nuisance behaviour

anti-social behaviour, drug use ... and all things like that

to make a real difference in the community it needs someone to actually be there

working closely with local partnerships, such as the councils, local community youth groups,

basically that is the easiest role, or the easiest way I felt, to make the biggest difference.

Because I was looking for a career that was rewarding and challenging

and offered me something different every day.

When I went onto the website and I read the job description

I felt that it was something which I could really enjoy and really make a difference in

and it was something which really appealed to me as well

I just thought it would be a good job - good opportunities as well.

A PCSO is quite different ..

you have to bring something ... a new culture to the community

you know, how to be together, how you're working together

so ...I was really excited to do that, yes.

The main pros of the job, you're out all day, sometimes in bad weather unfortunately

but you're out, you're meeting different people from all different walks of life

all different cultures and backgrounds - and no day is ever the same

.. one day you could be just patrolling round, just saying "Hello" to people

calling on local residents, making sure everything's ok ..

and next day you could be called to deal with incidents around that police officers

haven't got the opportunity to deal with

and because we're actually within the community we're a recognisable face

and the community comes to trust us and also understand what we're about.

I enjoy all the exercise, the walking round, the meeting all the different people

... chatting to people

I'd probably say everything, the things which we do every day, day in day out

just, the foot patrols, getting out, able to meet people

seeing that ... you're making a difference really, you're making people feel safer in their houses

then the interactions, the intelligence which you build up as well

it's just a very social job as well, so if you're a social person

- perfect job for you.

I mean we try to reducing the crime from the scratch

not just, you know, getting a person arrested, him doing this and that

we try to look at the people, we try to bring confidence to the people

we try to tell people you have to complain about things that happen

so we are taking information - we try to help the community in the maximum we can.

Most rewarding work today is - fortunately through local knowledge

I managed to get to know someone who was actually wanted by the local police forces

and I questioned him with certain things, so I was able to point officers in the right direction

and that person was taken off the streets

The person in question was wanted for a very serious matter which was affecting the local community

and as a result of my knowledge and working with people within the local community

I knew where he was and it ended up taking him off the streets

and it's made the community a slightly safer place again.

Yesterday we were out on foot patrol and we heard voices coming from inside a derelict building

and we asked them to come out and did some checks on the guys that were sleeping rough in there

and it turned out that one of them was wanted for an arrest for going equipped.

Probably again everything which you do day in day out, just being out there

making everybody feel safe, and obviously more secure in their own homes as well.

Someone joining as a PCSO? I would say to them, "Go for it"..

if you like speaking to people on a day in day out basis, no matter who they are

what age they are ... like going out and about within the local communities and making a difference

to help to make places feel safer for, even people like you and I

.. we've got to live in communities as well ..

.. it's for ... people from all walks of life can do this job

you don't necessarily need knowledge to start off with

just a good common sense and a good communication skill

And I think it's more than a job, it's more of a career

and something that gives you experience in all different things

I'd probably say, "Be yourselves when you get out there", because obviously

if you do get chosen to do the role you have been chosen just out of

your own characteristics and your own ability

so don't try and be something you're not really and don't try

too hard again to be something you're not, just be yourself

and you'll be perfectly fine when you get out there.