Vehicles and CSOs

[chica]

Anyone seem PCSOs on scooters?!

Believe me when I say it has been mentioned!

[nathan123]

Seen GMP PCSO's on push bikes on a friday night too Excellent stuff!

Whilst the police constables are working closer to pub and club hot spots, pcso's were helping out and also dealing with patroling the local estates etc.

All good work.

[Geth]

Not entirley sure, you could check on the PCSO forum, but I think that some CBM's in North Wales may have push bikes, and I think that some of the original PCSO's (who've been in the job for two years) might be getting car training (but not emergency response).  Also, anyone know about a SMART car in Cheshire force all painted up for CSO's, just a rumor I heard?

[andi223]

here in leeds we have been issued mountain bikes to patrol and respond to nuisance calls i myself have been trained to ride these bikes and find it easier to cover such a big beat.they help for dispersal orders and when the youths spread out over a certain area.....

[Waterford_man]

Anyone seem PCSOs on scooters?!

Believe me when I say it has been mentioned!

Chica,

I have - Transport for London (TfL) MET PCSOs patrolling red routes mainly.

[chica]

Oh right!  It was mentioned to us in training, we was not sure if what we had be told was true or not.  We also didnt know what the area was, interesting, thanks for that Waterford_man.

 :wink:

[D-C]

My wife has been a PCSO for over a year now in North Yorks. She works out of Richmond Nick. In our area PCSO's have access to to dedicated vehicles (Berlingos) in silver with the Community Safety Partnership Markings. As the area is massive it makes sense that they drive around although she does get out at location and walks for hours on end being a very visible presence. She also makes use of local public transport as often as she can, Im sure that a member of the public would be very reasured to see her doing this. Occassionaly the PCSOs do use marked Police cars but this is not very often and only if the Berlingos are either off the road or for dealing with traffic at local events. I am sure you would agree that a Silver MPV with a green stripe down the middle does not stick out as much as a dedicated Marked car. This is why at the local race course they use marked cars, as beforehand they had to dodge speeding and stupid motorists whilst directing traffic. Incidently the marked car is usually parked up beside them and is used as a visible base to work from.

I would appriciate your views on this as I have come across some very narrow minded coppers who treat PCSO's with a contempt they do not deserve...

[1454]

DC in my force PCSO's have not got dedicated cars or allowed to use pandas, there are not enough vehciles to go around at our station any way.

[woody100]

down in sussex cso's drive a range of vehicles including the ASTRA which is a step down to the main car of focuses, they also drive the CCTV van and finally at times they sometimes drive the blue CID van. however to my knowledge of when i have been on patrol with them they park up and patrol on foot to areas where ASB has been increased.
They have been seen also with the community wardens where they are in marked vehicles without lights. however, they are employed by the council but based at the nick :S!lol

[minibbb]

down in sussex cso's drive a range of vehicles including the ASTRA which is a step down to the main car of focuses, they also drive the CCTV van and finally at times they sometimes drive the blue CID van. however to my knowledge of when i have been on patrol with them they park up and patrol on foot to areas where ASB has been increased.
They have been seen also with the community wardens where they are in marked vehicles without lights. however, they are employed by the council but based at the nick :S!lol

Hi mate where are you based? Im a PCSO in Hailsham, Sussex and we have two fully marked Astras to use as well as CCTV Van. Lots of rural areas so vehicles are a must. Also very useful for RTCs etc

[chica]

I believe there are many forces who supply their PCSOs with vehicles of some description, it’s just down to the chief of the individual force, and how they want to utilize their PCSOs.  As far as I know, TCSOs are provided vehicles as they cover large areas, but in my eyes, the main point of the role is to be highly visible and the public want to see a police presence walking the beat.

[slickspacey]

I think whether PCSO's have cars will depend on where you are. I work in a built up residential area. Everywhere is accesible on foot (even if it takes an hour). There seems little point in PCSOs in having vehicles where I am - there are not enough cars to go around as it is.

[chica]

Yeah, I agree... Oh and yes, there are never enough cars are there  :no:

[Waterford_man]

Safer Neighbourhood Teams in The Met now have their own vehicles, locally that is one response car, perhaps a panda or a hybrid electric toyota which is very fast and very quiet.

I guess it depends whose on duty and able to drive, otherwise the keys are often locked away so the response teams cannot find them

[SgtAngel]

On my borough we have those toyota hybrid things, but they are only driven by PC's. Our PCSO's do not drive, and it is actively discouraged for them to be in a car. Most do foot or cycle patrol. Far more visible and in line with what PCSO's should be doing.