Date: 2007-02-07
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Published by: http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/
A NEW specialist police role has been established to improve community confidence in tackling crime and disorder issues that affect people with disabilities in Lancashire. The Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) for Physical Disability and Sensory Impairment is a joint funding initiative between Lancashire Constabulary and Lancashire County Council Adult and Community Services. Evidence suggests that some people with disabilities feel vulnerable in their own homes due to a perceived or real threat to their safety and well-being. This can, in some cases, result in disabled people feeling trapped and isolated in their own homes.
(Media-Newswire.com) - A NEW specialist police role has been established to improve community confidence in tackling crime and disorder issues that affect people with disabilities in Lancashire.
The Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) for Physical Disability and Sensory Impairment is a joint funding initiative between Lancashire Constabulary and Lancashire County Council Adult and Community Services.
Evidence suggests that some people with disabilities feel vulnerable in their own homes due to a perceived or real threat to their safety and well-being. This can, in some cases, result in disabled people feeling trapped and isolated in their own homes.
PC James Holland has been appointed the new post and will be based at Lancashire Constabulary headquarters at Hutton.
His primary role will involve working across a range of agencies including health services, social services and the voluntary sector to raise awareness and identify issues that affect disabled people and training and support services that meet the needs of people with disabilities.
Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) posts within Lancashire have been very successful to date in providing a level of reassurance and community presence that the public have come to value. Lancashire Constabulary has recently established a number of specialist PCSO posts, including posts in respect of the black and ethnic minority community and people with HIV/AIDS.
The role of the new PCSO for Physical Disability and Sensory Impairment will aim to improve community confidence and reassurance for disabled people by:
• working with the County Council in identifying crime and disorder issues that impact on disabled people
• acting as the main point of contact and liaison for disabled people and community groups
• raising awareness of crime and disorder issues faced by disabled people within Lancashire Police, the County Council and among Lancashire communities
• identifying internal training needs for staff and formal programmes for Lancashire Police on disability issues
• working with other agencies to tackle environmental matters which impact on the quality of disabled people’s lives and their ability to remain in the community
PC James Holland said:
“I am relishing the challenge of my new role. I have already met with a number of colleagues from social services and our partner agencies and have identified some of the areas we need to address. We know that together we can make a difference to the lives of the many disabled people living in Lancashire’s communities.”
County Councillor Chris Cheetham, cabinet member for Adult and Community Services, said:
“Everyone has the right to live their lives free from abuse and crime. Some adults including those with physical disabilities, are often more likely than others to experience various forms of abuse, intimidation and become victims of crime and disorder.
“In Lancashire, the County Council has a responsibility for keeping people safe. We are committed to working closely with the police and other agencies to try and protect everyone including vulnerable people and those with a disability.
“This new specialist police role is an excellent initiative. It will help raise awareness, identify training and support needs and lead work across agencies and forums in ensuring the needs of disabled people are met.
“I am delighted that this partnership has been developed. It proves that by working together agencies can really improve the lives of Lancashire people.”
A/Deputy Chief Constable Adrian McAlister, Force Diversity Champion at Lancashire Constabulary, added:
“We have just launched our disability equality scheme in December and this post is a significant step in helping us improve our services to people with disabilities. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Lancashire County Council.”