POLICE Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are offering a welcome presence for businesses and vulnerable people in Pembrokeshire over the festive period.

The message Dyfed-Powys Police is sending during its Christmas campaign, #OpSanta, is ‘presence not presents’, and PCSOs are the eyes and ears of police in communities.

Haverfordwest PCSO Rob John said: “There’s a team of six PCSOs covering the whole of Haverfordwest and we each have our own area to focus on. That helps with getting to know the community and giving them a trusted person to speak to when they’re worried about crime or antisocial behaviour.

“I cover the Garth patch, so a lot of my work brings me to youth clubs and schools. It’s important the police have strong relationships with children and young people and I am able to spend time building those.

“In the lead up to Christmas we see shoplifting numbers rise in Haverfordwest, so I have spent a lot of time working with both independent and larger shops to understand the problems they face and look at how they can prevent thefts.

“Being physically present in the town means I know a lot of people and importantly they know me, so I am able to gather information about crimes when they happen.

“PCSOs also play a role in the search for missing people. We deal with many the public don’t hear about, and often they are vulnerable people.

“We sometimes come across missing people who we know through our day-to-day work, and are able to help build a picture about them, and where they might be. Then we can get out on foot and look for them.

“This role takes consistency and a lot of walking - I think the most steps I’ve clocked up in a shift is 23,000 (around 11 miles) – but I like what I’m able to contribute to the community.”

A campaign, called #ThoseInBlue, has been recognising the work of PCSOs and the value they add to policing this week.

If you have concerns about crime or antisocial behaviour in your community, speak to a PCSO or police officer, or call 101.