Cumbria Police & Commissioner funds Crime Prevention training for PCSOs

The qualification involves areas such as the impact of crime on victims, get safe online and rural crime prevention. Gaining this new qualification will give PCSOs an enhanced knowledge of crime prevention techniques with a rural focus that is unique to Cumbria. The last day of the course will involve practical training around tractors, trailers and quads that have been provided by Carrs Billington, Agriculture Ltd.

Keep Safe, an initiative that is also funded by the PCC, will have a dedicated day in the training weeks. Keep Safe offers vulnerable victims the opportunity to receive additional and practical support and advice to help them feel safer in their own home and reduce the risk of being re-victimised.

Peter McCall, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “This is a great opportunity for PCSOs to further their knowledge and learn skills that will help them in real life scenarios.

“This training not only benefits the PCSOs but will benefit the wider community and help victims feel safer in their own homes which I believe is a huge advantage.

“It is the key priority to keep all residents and visitors in Cumbria safe – by continually educating all ranks across the Constabulary on practical and theoretical techniques we can realising this goal to a higher extent.

“Achieving this priority is why I am proud to fund the Crime Prevention Training for Cumbria.”

Chief Inspector Richard Quinn, Cumbria Constabulary, said: “We welcome the training that is being provided to 60 of our PCSOs and we are confident that the additional knowledge, gained through these sessions, will help provide an ever better service to the public.

“The role of PCSOs are crucial to our efforts to support our communities and improve quality of life. Our PCSOs will continue to work closely with residents to ensure they feel safe within their own homes and help prevent crime from occurring.”

Speaking on behalf of the Police Crime Prevention Academy, the Head of Learning and Development Guy Collyer said: “It is noticeable that many leaders, both regional and national, are seeing the growing importance of Crime Prevention and how this can reduce costs and, more importantly, the number of victims. Mr McCalls’ support for these courses is sincerely appreciated.”

The Police Crime Prevention Academy is just one initiative belonging to Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (PCPI) and is an Approved Centre for the awarding body, ProQual. The accredited qualifications which it delivers are regulated by Ofqual.