‘Specials’ Prove Their Worth At The Anglesey Show

This year’s Anglesey Show was a first in that it was predominantly Policed by the North Wales Police Special Constabulary and although PCSO’s and ‘regulars’ joined their volunteer colleagues it was very much a ‘Specials’ driven operation. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sergeant Neil Jones at Holyhead Police Station said “Over the course of the two day event five Special Constables and a similar number of PCSO’s Policed what turned out to be a very successful and hugely enjoyable show. Thousands of people attended and clearly their safety was very much at the heart of the Policing operation as well as providing a very visible Policing presence, crime prevention advice and guidance and carer advice for all those hoping to join the Force. A mobile Police Station and ‘marked’ Police vehicle also provided a ‘magnet’ for youngsters who were also handed out free pens, keyrings, air refreshers and the like all of which was managed by Special Constables and done so in a very thorough and professional way and feedback from members of the public at the show was very positive.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

During the course of the ‘show’ Specials and their PCSO colleagues successfully dealt with (and found!) two missing 11 year old children on the Tuesday whilst an even younger child the following day but she too was quickly found. Most effective was their visible and friendly presence which proved a huge reassurance to all show goers. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Acting Specials Chief Inspector in Gwynedd and Mon Neale Lewis-Jones said “The Anglesey show is a perfect example of when the North Wales Police Special Constabulary can be deployed in support of an established community event, without the need to remove front line Police Officers. Our team were very well received by show goers who commented that it was both satisfying and reassuring to see them engage in a friendly way wearing traditional uniform. It’s also an excellent example of how far the Special Constabulary have progressed in recent years in taking on more responsibility and ownership of significant events and I hope it will also act as an advert to attract even more applicants.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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