Police bus scheme just the ticket (From Gazette & Herald)

Police bus scheme just the ticket

12:30pm Thursday 19th March 2009 in News By Gazette Reporter

A COMMUNITY police officer has found a new way to get to work – on the bus.

PCSO Andy Birkinshaw travels on the Coastliner bus service from Malton to Sherburn and Rillington when doing his weekly rounds of the villages.

The Malton- based officer came up with the idea when he found that there were limited numbers of police cars available for PCSOs to use.

Rather than stretch police resources, he contacted the bus service.

SNT Sergeant Paul Stephenson, who oversees the work of the PCSOs, said: “When Andy spoke to Coastliner, they told him about a few issues they had with security on the buses.

“Andy decided that if he was on the bus, he could obviously get to work, but in doing so he would also be high profile, reducing the fear of crime, and getting to know the people in the communities he serves.”

Sgt Stephenson said that he was very impressed with the work of both PCSO Birkinshaw, and his colleague PC Andy Grant, who polices the same patch.

He said: “Together they have come up with some very imaginative new ideas. They are enthusiastic about their work in these rural locations even when it is cold and wet.”