Bracknell

There are two new faces patrolling the streets of Bullbrook, Bracknell: Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) Bernice Byard and Julia Caskey have been providing a more visible police presence since they joined the neighbourhood policing team in the new year.

Bracknell PCSO Caskey said: “In our first few weeks, Bernice and I have been familiarising ourselves with the area, getting to know key places such as schools, shops, places of worship and care homes, as well as meeting local residents and developing an understanding of their needs and concerns.

“The three priorities identified by Bullbrook residents in 2008 are parking, speeding and litter. In response to their wishes, Neighbourhood Specialist Officer PC Jon Morris has tasked us with tackling parking problems around the area. We’re not traffic wardens – that role has now been taken over by the council – but we do hand out tickets to motorists whose vehicles are parked dangerously or causing an obstruction.

“We tend to patrol outside the schools at drop off and pick up times, mainly to show a friendly face to parents and children, but also to deal with any parking issues that crop up.

“Bernice and I work different shift patterns to provide maximum cover, but we do patrol together at certain times, for example, when we join other members of the neighbourhood policing team at weekends to work on Operation Lion Cub, the ongoing initiative to prevent anti-social behaviour.

“I was attracted to the role of PCSO because I saw it as a challenge, where I could gain great job satisfaction and feel that I was putting something back into the community. No two days are the same and the job is never boring. Before I joined Thames Valley Police I was a florist, so I have made a big career change – but I always say that if you can deal with the mother of the bride during the preparations for a wedding, you can deal with anyone!”

The neighbourhood policing team for Bullbrook comprises: Neighbourhood Specialist Officer PC Jon Morris, PC Samantha Keenan (part-time), PCSO Bernice Byard and PCSO Julia Caskey. All the officers can be contacted on 0845 8 505 505.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell