PCSO of the year announced
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
08/07/2008
An Hammersmith and Fulham Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) who broke his arm catching an armed crook has been named as the Met Police's PCSO of the year at a prestigious ceremony.
Former council employee, Kevin Smith, aged 41, has been praised for the positive impact he has made working closely with young people and acting as a force for good in Hammersmith & Fulham.
Perhaps PCSO Smith’s finest hour came when he managed to apprehend an armed criminal. Unfortunately, as he gave chase the suspect pushed the large metal gate against him and he sustained a broken arm. This did not stop PCSO Smith and he continued to give chase and with good descriptions and radio operation the man was arrested by armed officers.
PCSO Smith is part of the Fulham Broadway 24/7 Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT). 24/7 is a multi-million pound round-the-clock neighbourhood beat policing scheme that was introduced by the Met with taxpayer and local business funding in April 2007.
Architect of the scheme and cabinet member for crime and anti-social behaviour, Cllr Greg Smith, said: “PCSO Smith deserves enormous credit for his sterling work. Local beat officers like him are one of the reasons why we wanted to trial 24/7 neighbour beat policing. He has set a magnificent example for others to follow.”
This is the second year in a row that Fulham Broadway 24/7 SNT has had a PCSO win the Met PCSO of the year award as last year PCSO Shinya Nishitani was given the honour.
Speaking of his award, PCSO Smith, said: “I am pleased to accept this as recognition of all the work undertaken by PCSOs. The loss of one young persons life through violent crime is one too many. Since the start of 2008 London has seen 18 teenagers killed on its streets as a result of knife crime. The Metropolitan Police have the difficult, but achievable task of stopping this phenomenon and I want to be part of this fight. I enjoy working with the younger generation, before they get drawn into anti social behaviour, developing a better understanding of the police and facilitating a communication link.”
The action man has also a long list of achievements from the last 12 months including, supervising a group of nine offenders as they repainted a community hall through a payback scheme. He also worked with a disruptive pupil and created an acceptable behaviour contract to allow him to return to school after his exclusion.
Cllr Smith added: “It’s not rocket science – PCSOs help to beat crime and the streets of Shepherds Bush and Fulham are now much safer thanks to the introduction of 24/7 policing and the actions of people like PCSO Smith. We know that the Home Office and other Police forces and local authorities are sitting up and taking notice of our groundbreaking 24/7 initiative and it is only right that officers like PCSO Smith receive praise for making our streets safer.”
Penny Mills, Fulham Broadway Safer Neighbourhood 24/7 Inspector, said: “I am honoured to have been able to nominate a PCSO for this award two years running with success. I am proud of all that Kevin has achieved over the past two years and this reward is well deserved."
PCSO Smith will now go forward to be considered for the national PCSO of the year award.
