This is why a Sussex police office staffed entirely by volunteers has made such a huge difference to the community it serves
A pioneering community police operation has celebrated its 30th anniversary at Southwater - with certificates and medals presented to the volunteers who initiated it and who continue to run it. The High Sheriff of West Sussex Gary Shipton – who is also the Editor At Large of Sussex World and its weekly newspapers - attended the celebration and here shares his thoughts on the event.
The Southwater Community Police Office marked its milestone 30th birthday this month (September) and the celebration was held at Southwater Council Chambers, Beeston House, Lintot Square.
The office is staffed totally by Police Support Volunteers and it was started in 1996 when the police house in Southwater was sold.
At the time, Karen Hayes, the Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator recognised this would leave the area without sufficient cover and formulated the plan to rent an office to be run by volunteers. Karen advertised in a local magazine asking for volunteers, and by the time the office opened, it had a total of 14 expressions of interest from potential volunteers. Among them was David Scott, who still volunteers in the role as the Volunteer Office Manager. David oversees and supports all the volunteers at the office. When he signed up, he had already served 30 years in Surrey Police. His combined service of 60 years is incredible.
Both Karen and David attended the celebration and received their certificates. It was a great pleasure to meet them and all the other volunteers.
Their citations showed that this was a centre rooted in empathy, compassion, community commitment, and a lot of hard work.
I was particularly pleased to see the display boards revealing that every great event at the office had been recorded by the West Sussex County Times – a newspaper with which I have had an involvement for many decades. At this birthday CI Dan Eagle welcomed guests, David Scott shared reflections of the past 30 years, Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne OBE looked forward to the next 30. ACC Rosie Ross led the awards presentations.
The office has moved several times before finding its current home at Southwater Community Centre supported by a strong cohort of hardworking, dedicated and committed volunteers.
Many of the volunteers have served over 20 years at the office. The operate different shifts each week, ensuring that the office is open and welcoming for members of the public.
They perform a variety of roles, and the team are responsible for duties including conducting interviews, administration, engaging with the public, answering and signposting the public to the appropriate authorities and taking incident reports. The team provides the local community a local policing presence and can call upon the police officers in the area to support members of the public if needed. The team also recruits and trains new members. Some have used the experience to then join policing as either officers or PCSOs.
In 2006, the Southwater office was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Volunteers, one of the highest accolades given in the country and then in October 2023, the hub was honoured with the Lord Ferrers Award for Police Volunteer Support Team by the Home Office.
What a wonderful group of people and an amazing operation fuelled by volunteers who set the highest standards of professional care.