Five new police community support officers have taken on responsibility for key areas of Letchworth and Hitchin.

The Comet: New Hitchin PCSOs Stuart Stone, Alex Bridge and Sam Halbert. Picture: Herts policeNew Hitchin PCSOs Stuart Stone, Alex Bridge and Sam Halbert. Picture: Herts police (Image: Archant)

Natasha Angwin and Laura Bird have joined the Letchworth Safer Neighbourhood Team after completing a six-week course, and are now taking responsibility for the Jackmans and Lordship estates and the industrial area in the town.

In Hitchin, the new Safer Neighbourhood Team recruits are Stuart Stone, Alex Bridge and Sam Halbert.

Letchworth Safer Neighbourhood Team Sergeant Alan Clarke said: “Natasha and Laura are great members of the Safer Neighbourhood Team in Letchworth.

“The team does a great deal of positive work in the community, especially in identifying people who may be vulnerable to crime and finding solutions to help them.

“Laura and Natasha will be out on their beats on proactive patrols, so they have a big role to play in being a visible deterrent to criminals.”

Laura previously worked as a fitness instructor and personal trainer, and will now look after the Jackmans and Lordship estates.

She said: “I like the diverse challenges that supporting policing in the Jackmans and Lordship estates presents. It’s good to be a uniformed presence in an area to provide reassurance and to demonstrate to the public that we are here for them should they need us.

“I’m getting to know the people in the local area well and have so far found them to be friendly, resilient people who deserve a pleasant, safe area to live.

“I also want to encourage the few young people who can become involved in anti-social behaviour to engage with the police more and combat any issues they have early on.”

Prior to joining the force and taking on the Letchworth industrial area, Natasha was a personal assistant for a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon.

“I wanted to join the police to have the chance to help people and to support the local community,” she said.

“I like that every day is different and I am kept very busy. I also really enjoy working with the local people who live in the areas I look after and supporting them with any issues they have. I hope that my regular presence in the area helps local people to feel safer.”

Hitchin Safer Neighbourhood Team Sergeant Stephen Oliphant said he was delighted to welcome Stuart, Alex and Sam, who he described as “great assets”.

Stuart, who has responsibility for the Highbury and Walsworth areas of Hitchin, worked with disabled adults before joining the force.

He said: “I’m really pleased to be a PCSO as I enjoy the fact that every day is different and you never know what each shift is going to bring. I like being able to get out into the community, engaging with the public and providing them with reassurance and advice, and I’m looking forward to getting to know residents better.

“In particular, I want to tackle any anti-social behaviour and will engage with residents and local authorities to achieve this.”

Sam joins up after working for North Herts District Council, promoting sport and exercise. He has responsibility for Oughton.

He said: “I wanted a new challenge, to continue working within the community and to help people. I love that I get to speak to new people every day and no day is ever the same.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the community well and to providing reassurance to residents by demonstrating there is a police presence in their local area. I’m also hoping to bring down levels of anti-social behaviour and engage as much as possible with different community groups.”

Alex, who has responsibility for the Priory area, used to work at Waitrose.

He said: “I’ve always wanted to join the police so I thought I’d give being a PCSO a try. I enjoy the freedom the role brings by being out and about in my local area, patrolling and helping people.

“The town is diverse and busy, and something interesting is always happening, so I have to stay alert. One of my main aims is to cut down purse and shop thefts by stepping up my patrols in the area.”

You can contact the new PSCOs directly on Natasha.Angwin@herts.pnn.police.uk, Laura.Bird@herts.pnn.police.uk, Sam.Halbert@herts.pnn.police.uk, Stuart.Stone@herts.pnn.police.uk and Alex.Bridge@herts.pnn.police.uk. Alternatively call 101 and ask for them.

You can also speak to them on their airwaves radio if they are on duty – dial 01707 354192 and say the name of the officer you want to speak to. Always dial 999 in an emergency.