Lowestoft set to get a dedicated PCSO

Lowestoft town centre and businesses Improvement District (BID) area are set to get a dedicated PCSO, thanks to match-funding.

The new dedicated policing post comes as a result of Lowestoft Vision working in partnership with Suffolk Constabulary.

Covering the Lowestoft town centre and the BID area, the PCSO is being introduced through the match-funded scheme, which allows organisations to split the cost of a PCSO with the Constabulary, forming a partnership to deal with community issues.

From January 2015, the new 37-hour post will be in place and will be filled by current PCSO Michael Soanes from the North Lowestoft Safer Neighbourhood Team. PCSO Soanes will be dedicated to conducting patrols within the Lowestoft BID area. This allows PCSO Soanes to concentrate on this key part of the town, developing links with the public and business partners.

Lowestoft Vision, who work to enhance the town, identified how they can have a greater impact on tackling issues such as anti-social behaviour and street drinking and contacted Suffolk Constabulary about the match-funded position.

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore said, “I am really pleased that we have been able to boost the existing PCSO provision in Lowestoft. This is an excellent example of organisations working together and acting for the greater good.

“There is an impressive track record of multi-agency working within in our county; Lowestoft Rising is a good example of this and the Lowestoft BID complements this well.”

Commenting on the new dedicated post Inspector for North Lowestoft Safer Neighbourhood Team, Richard Hill, said:

“PCSOs have become an integral part of the policing family and play an important role in keeping Suffolk safe by providing high-visibility patrols which both provide reassurance while helping reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.”Darren Newman Lowestoft Vision BID Manager said “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Suffolk constabulary to provided additional provision to the BID area.”

“Speaking with local businesses it was felt that we needed to do more to tackle some of the issues that impact customers and businesses in the town.”

The scheme enables Lowestoft Vision to set the patrol area and the priorities of the PCSO, and they will regularly meet with Suffolk Constabulary to discuss performance and priorities.

In 2009, the match-funded scheme was launched, allowing an organisation or business association to split the cost of a PCSO with the Constabulary, forming a partnership to deal with local community issues and providing an accessible police link to members of the public.

Suffolk Constabulary’s Business Liaison Manager, Leigh Jenkins said: “Match-funded PCSOs have proven a great investment, and the Constabulary has worked with businesses, councils and other organisations through this partnership scheme, helping improve the quality of life for those living and working in the areas where the match-funded post is based.”

Anyone interested in discussing the opportunity to work with the Constabulary through match-funding a PCSO in their area is asked to contact Leigh Jenkins on 01473 782725.
(l-r) Darren Newman Lowestoft Vision BID Manager, PCSO Michael Soanes, Inspector Richard Hill, PCC Tim Passmore, Superintendent for Suffolk Coastal and Waveney Districts, Paul Sharp.