PCSO is the star of police video

A cameraman followed PCSO Nigel Wass on his six-hour beat of the Horncastle area earlier this month.

The video shows PCSO Wass checking various locations - from a deserted Horncastle town centre to shops, supermarkets and the Spa Trail.

PCSO Wass highlights how important the force’s ‘four Es’ approach is - Engage; Educate; Encourage and Enforce, (but only as a last resort).

During a section of the video recorded outside Tesco, PCSO Wass reveals 99 per cent of people have reacted positively to the Government’s restrictions.

He reminds the one per cent not complying that police have ‘the powers and the tools’ required to enforce regulations.

PCSO Wass moves on to check security at St Mary’s Church, part of his regular beat covering potentially vulnerable locations.

He stresses that during the pandemic, incidents involving criminal damage have reduced - meaning he and other officers can stage more Covid-19 patrols.

PCSO Wass is shown visiting the town’s Co-op Pharmacy - one of the few shops that remains open. He also visits the town’s allotments where thefts of plants and compost have been reported from sheds and greenhouses.

PCSO Wass explains the thefts are probably directly connected to the pandemic with usual suppliers of compost and plants closed.

In several locations, PCSO Wass offers reassurance to residents who, he adds, are pleased to see a visible police presence.

At the car park on the Spa Trail, PCSO Wass is shown checking the registration of a vehicle whose owner may have breached the regulations.

The video ends with PCSO Wass back behind his desk at Horncastle Police Station. During the video, he stressed while Covid-19 patrols were a now key part of his role, investigations into other crimes are continuing.