News : July 2007
Support for local police
The Peter Saunders Trust has made an award enabling North Wales Police to appoint a Police Community Support officer for the Tywyn District. North Wales Police approached the Trust when Home Office funding for the Community Support Officer scheme was withdrawn.The Trust recognised the value of such a role in the local area, and the benefits that it could bring to the community. The award has part funded the post, enabling North Wales Police to appoint an officer - and to give a commitment to the Trust to fully fund the role in the future.
The role of Police Community Support Officers is to complement and support regular police officers. Community Support Officers focus on community and quality of life issues rather than on enforcement.
Peter Saunders said: ‘The benefits to the area are enormous. Not only does the appointment bring an additional officer to Tywyn Police station, increasing the visible presence of the police on the streets, but it also brings a resource focused on community projects.’
The officer has already been appointed and, having completed her familiarisation training in the area, is now on the beat in Tywyn. Emma Jones, aged 22, is originally from Blaenau Ffestiniog but now lives in Harlech. Before joining North Wales Police, Emma gained experience in the care industry and learned how to communicate with the hard of hearing through sign language.
Emma is a full member of the North Wales Police force and reports to PC Ifor Williams, the Community Beat Manager at Tywyn. She already has a qualification in law and, since joining North Wales Police, she has undertaken intensive training in the customer care, community and race relations issues. Emma will undertake further training in subjects such as mediation and restorative justice.
Police Superintendent, Gareth Wynn, was delighted and issued a statement saying ‘We are most grateful to The Peter Saunders Trust for support in ensuring that the Tywyn district benefits from a dedicated Police Community Support Officer post. PCSO Emma Jones is able to provide a visible uniformed presence, and is accessible by the local community. Providing a safe and pleasant neighbourhood in which to live is a responsibility of us all, and this is a fantastic example of working in partnership to help achieve this. I thank the Trust for its support.’
As part of the sponsorship of the role, The Peter Saunders Trust is able to nominate areas for special attention by the Community Support Officer. The Trust has highlighted the problem of serious underage drinking with its anti-social consequences and asked that the Officer engage with young people to encourage them to participate in new activities.
The Trust has also referred to the concern locally about the future of the Institute building and asked that the officer spend time consulting with people in the community about making the best use of this asset in case, at some time, it is no longer be required by Gwynedd Council.
‘I'm enjoying my new role as the Police Community Support Officer for the Tywyn area’ said Emma Jones, ‘and since arriving here everyone in the community has been so supportive. I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead and to working closely with the Peter Saunders Trust on community projects and initiatives.’
Meirionnydd District Inspector, Meirion Ellis, was equally positive and, after wishing Emma well, he added ‘I'd like to thank The Peter Saunders Trust for its support. PCSO Jones has settled well into her role at Tywyn and I'm sure the community will benefit greatly.’