Crowthorne and Sandhurst

Would you like to use and develop your skills and experience while helping police in Crowthorne and Sandhurst reduce crime, disorder and the fear of crime?

If you have a little spare time and a lot of enthusiasm, come along to a drop-in volunteer recruitment event at Crowthorne police station in Upper Broadmoor Road, Crowthorne on Friday 15 June.

The event, which will run from 10am – 12pm, aims to recruit people to volunteer at Crowthorne police station and Sandhurst police point. Volunteers are needed to man the front counters at both premises, work in neighbourhood policing and in crime reduction.

Sgt Graham Thorne, who is based at Crowthorne police station, said: “We need volunteers to support officers and police staff. This assists the Force in the achievement of its targets and local policing priorities, and increases community involvement. Volunteering with the police is rewarding and I would urge anyone who would like to help make their community a safer place to come along to the event.”

Front counter volunteers are the first point of contact for members of the public who come to the police station. Neighbourhood policing volunteers undertake tasks such as arranging rooms for Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) meetings and delivering leaflets to let their communities know what’s happening. Crime reduction volunteers give the public advice on how to prevent crime, for example at crime reduction fairs.

Volunteers are crucial to the smooth-running of Thames Valley Police. Amanda James, co-ordinator of the Volunteer Support Team, said: “We wouldn’t be able to operate without volunteers. We especially need them at Sandhurst police point, which is completely run by volunteers – without them the point couldn’t open.”

There are 84 volunteers working across Berkshire East at present, with another 86 on the books waiting to start. They are mainly employed on front counters, in Neighbourhood policing and in the property section.

Amanda is currently looking for volunteers to work across Berkshire East in the property section, for example to take stock of all crime property currently in police possession.

For more information about the recruitment drop-in event at Crowthorne, or to find out more about volunteering with Thames Valley Police, contact Amanda James on 01753 506238. You can also pick up an information pack with role descriptions and an application form from any police station.

Thames Valley Police ~ Crowthorne and Sandhurst