PCSOs Prove Their Worth in Brentford

Two crimes solved by Community Support Officers

On Wednesday 24th September 2008 PCSO Holmes-Yarde was on patrol in Netley Road Brentford when he was approached by a female member of public who informed him that she had just seen a man riding a bike along Green Dragon Lane that had been stolen from her the previous week from outside Kew Bridge BR station

PCSO Holmes-Yarde obtained the necessary description of the bike and male and informed the control room via his radio. Several minutes later he saw the victim's bike outside an address in Green Dragon Lane. There were two males present, one of whom fitted the description as given by the victim. PCSO Holmes- Yarde made enquiries with the males about the bike. One of the males admitted that he had taken it from outside the station on the 17th as he thought it had been abandoned. PCSO Holmes-Yarde detained the male and called for police assistance to arrest him.

An officer from the Syon Safer Neighbourhood Team attended the scene and arrested the male for theft. In interview at station the male admitted stealing the pedal cycle. It was ascertained that the male was wanted on two separate warrants for failing to appear at court. He also tested positive for class A drugs. The male was kept in custody to appear at Feltham Magistrates Court on 25th September

A police spokesperson said, "This is an excellent example of local community based officers on patrol being immediately accessible to the public and being able to provide a rapid and effective response. PCSO Holmes - Yarde showed a presence of mind to obtain details, search the area and then locate the stolen property and the suspect. His actions led to the arrest of a persistent thief and wanted person, the detection of a notifiable offence, and to the recovery of stolen property which has since been restored to the grateful victim."

Two days later two PCSOs, PCSO 7143TX Puttyraj and PCSO 7217TX Wakefield, were on duty in Brentford High Street at around 3pm providing a visible presence and reassurance to school children going home. At this time a resident from an address in Brent Lea called the police stating a man had just damaged the door to their home. The suspect's description was circulated. As Response Team officers were making their way to the address the suspect walked past PCSOs Puttyraj and Wakefield on the High Street. Recognising him from his description the two PCSOs stopped him in Half Acre and detained him until Police officers arrived. The male is currently on bail.

October 10, 2008