Gainsborough Police welcomes new PCSO who wants to 'really make a difference in people’s lives'
Gainsborough Police has welcomed a new PCSO who says he wants to help as many people as he can and ‘really make a difference in people’s lives when they’re in need’.
Harry Felstead-Solley became a PCSO after he underwent 10 weeks of training to ensure he had the skills he needed to help keep the people of Lincolnshire safe.
The 25-year-old had already volunteered in the force for three years, working as a special to support officers and help deal with day-to-day demand.
PCSOs perform a crucial role, helping to prevent crime, tackle anti-social behaviour, and support vulnerable people while providing a visible police presence on the ground.
As part of Lincolnshire Police’s Lincs 2030 transformation and investment plan, the police have committed to keeping their PCSO numbers at 50, and they are excited to work with their newest members, like Harry, who will make a valuable contribution to local policing.
Public service is a calling that Harry feels strongly, and he remembers the moment he knew he wanted to become a PCSO.
Harry said: “If I’m honest, when I was working as a special, I didn’t really have a clue what PCSOs did.
“So, I chose to go out with them one day and it really opened my eyes to how important the work they do is.
“They do so much, talking to people, problem-solving and working with the community to make things a better, safer place.
“After that I never looked and though I’m only two weeks in, I’m absolutely loving it – and have no regrets.
“I feel like I’m making a difference every day.”
Harry operates in the Gainsborough area and focuses on anti-social behaviour involving motorbikes and other vehicles.
He says tries to walk around town, rather than drive, because the extra visibility gives people the chance to talk to him.
Harry said: “People will constantly come up to you to talk about concerns, report things, or just have a chat.”
Despite only being in the job for a few weeks, Harry already has some memorable jobs under his belt.
He said: “I was called to an incident involving a motorbike riding on the pavement – which could have really hurt someone.
“So I went to the area and was eventually able to track down the motorcyclist and seize the vehicle – making sure it wouldn’t be used incorrectly again.
“Having spoken to residents, I knew this kind of behaviour had been causing a lot of frustration and worry, so it felt good to intervene.
“When we told people in the area what had happened through our Lincs Alert system they were really happy.
“It made me feel like I was making a difference.”
Harry says his parents are proud of the work he’s doing to make the community safer – though it won’t stop his mum from worrying about him – and he would urge others to get involved too.
He said: “The number one thing for me is helping people, I want to help as many people as I can and really make a difference in people’s lives when they’re in need.
“I’d encourage anyone who’s interested to give it a go, it’s really rewarding – and you could even start as a special to get a feel for what the job is about before you do.”