This photo of a police officer helping a lost elderly woman will warm your heart

Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest impact.

Being a police officer isn’t all about pulsating foot chases through alleyways to take down perps.

As this heartwarming image proves, police work also involves something as simple as helping someone find their bearings.

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This image of a police community support officer (PCSO) aiding an elderly woman who had lost her way has made the internet go “awwwww”.

PSCO Dave Bunker, 49, was pictured holding the woman’s hand as he led her towards a bus stop in Skegness, Lincolnshire, on Monday.

The photo was taken by Inspector Colin Haigh, who posted it on his Twitter feed, with the caption: “Community policing at its best.

“PCSO Bunker helping a lady who’s lost her way and can’t find the best stop.”

While Mr Bunker said he was “proud” of the online recognition, he told the BBC he was “just doing my job”.

He said: “I was really surprised at the reaction. I’ve done nothing special, it’s what we do.”

The woman had told him she was on the way to the bus station but she was three-quarters of a mile away.

“I thought I would give her an hand,” he said.

“I offered her my arm but she chose to take me by the hand.

“We started walking but it became obvious it was too far to walk so I called a colleague who came and picked her up.”

Mr Bunker has been a PCSO with Lincolnshire Police for more than ten years.

He said: “Incidents like this happen on a regular basis. It’s not just me, it’s other PCSOs and PCs too. We are doing things like this daily.

“Somebody on Twitter said I needed a reward but I said the smile on the woman’s face was all the reward I needed.”

Mark Jones, Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “No amount of words could express so clearly the value of PCSOs to our communities. Neighbourhood policing, not a luxury but a cornerstone.”