Louth PCSO ready for new challenge policing in Horncastle

He retired as a Louth-based PCSO earlier this month but within a few days he was back on the beat as a volunteer PCSO in Horncastle!

He explained: “It all happened really quickly.

“I retired on Friday, was asked about helping out at Horncastle and started again on the Monday!

“Anyone who knows me would tell you I love the job and that I love working with local communities.

“Anyway, there’s only so much time I can spend clay pigeon shooting and only so much time I could spend playing golf.

“I just wanted to carry on putting something back into the community and I am really excited to be joining a fantastic ‘team’ at Horncastle.”

PCSO Porter was an immensely popular figure in and around Louth.

His beat covered a huge area from Halton le Clay to Scamelsby - and all the places in between.

Such was his popularity, residents and senior officers lined off to wish him a long and happy retirement and he even appeared on Radio Lincolnshire to talk about his experiences.

However, the lure of the job was just too much to resist.

When he was approached by fellow PCSO Nigel Wass about helping out at Horncastle, 
PCSO Porter quickly accepted.

And, what’s more, his wife even supported the move.

He explained: “I think she was worried I’d be sat around the house all day!

“She knows me better than anyone.

“She knows how community how passionate I am about policing and how much the job means to me.

“It has been an absolute privilege to work for the Lincolnshire Force and hopefully that will continue.”

PCSO Porter accepts that as a volunteer, his powers will be limited.

He added: “The job of a PCSO is evolving all the time.

“One of the messages from the force at the moment is 
helping communities ‘stay safe and keep safe’ and that really sums up the job.”

PCSO Porter spent seven years in the Louth area and previously spent three years in Mablethorpe.

He added: “I knew a lot of people but I think I also knew it was time for a new challenge.

“This (volunteering in Horncastle) is perfect.

“The team at Louth were brilliant but I’ve been given a fantastic welcome at Horncastle.

“I am still getting to know the area and what the issues are but it’s a great place to be.

PCSO Porter said he was looking forward to the challenge.

With that in mind, it appears his golf clubs can stay in the garage for a while longer!

Wolds Division Inspector Sarah Constantine said she was delighted to welcome PCSO Porter to the Horncastle team.

As Wolds Inspector, she has worked alongside PCSO Porter in the Louth area and described him as a ‘popular and dedicated’ officer.

She added: “The fact so many people wished Ian a happy retirement says everything.

“I’m sure he’ll be an asset in Horncastle.”