A "legendary" Newtown police community support officer (PCSO) has been recognised as a national award finalist for his decades of public service.

Graham Jennings, who has served as a PCSO for more than 16 years, was nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony in London to celebrate 20 years since the creation of the role.

He was a serving police officer for 12 years with the South Wales Police then a custody detention officer at Newtown police station in 2004 before taking on the role as a PCSO in 2006.

Since then Graham has received a divisional commander’s commendation relating to a serious firearms incident, and in 2016 was awarded a Chief Constable’s commendation for acting as a first responder to a fatality in Newtown.

 

PCSO Graham Jennings of Newtown Police Station.

PCSO Graham Jennings of Newtown Police Station.

 

Dyfed-Powys Police's Deputy Chief Constable Claire Parmenter praised "legendary" Graham, who also has a black belt in karate, and for "epitomising public service" in the community.

PCSOs were first introduced by the then Labour Government and have been the visible presence of the police in communities right across Wales since 2003. Nominations for eight PCSO award categories were canvassed back in the summer of last year and there was a fantastic response from forces and UNISON branches.

Paying tribute to his "immense" contribution and "fantastic" recognition on the national stage, Deputy Chief Constable Parmenter said: “PCSOs are the absolute backbone of neighbourhood policing. We couldn’t do what we do in our communities without them. The engagement work, problem-solving with partners and intelligence they obtain is invaluable.

“They play a key role in making our communities safer. They lead in our work with anti-social behaviour, step in to protect crime scenes and attend serious incidents, and I regularly hear how PCSOs have apprehended violent offenders, saved members of the public, found high-risk missing people, or engaged with vulnerable children and adults.

"Every day they make a difference to the public and local communities. It was an honour to celebrate their dedication and commitment.

“I know how valued they are and the fantastic work they do to prevent crime and reassure our communities across Wales."

By forming close working relationships with local bodies and individuals, resolving disputes, and providing support to policing operations, PCSOs help to deter crime and promote community cohesion. They are involved in tackling a multitude of issues including hate crimes, anti-social behaviour, and criminal damage. They also look out for vulnerable people such as the elderly and those in danger of radicalisation.