Volunteer officers 'takeover' policing Southend at bank holiday weekend

Compassionate volunteer police officers supported a man seen walking in the road without shoes during a "takeover" in Southend at the weekend.

The special constables gave up their time to “takeover” policing duties in Southend on Saturday night, allowing regular police officers some time to focus on their current workloads and investigations.

They led the policing response in the city on a busy bank holiday weekend night, using their policing skills used as well as the skills they bring from their “other life” to benefit the community they serve.

They dealt with a variety of incidents throughout their tour of duty including dealing with four disturbances, three domestic abuse incidents and a theft while checking on the welfare of a person.

The team worked together to arrest two people – one on suspicion of criminal damage and one on suspicion of cruelty to a child and being drunk and disorderly.

Furthermore, in an effort to keep the roads safe for everyone, they issued two traffic offence reports for no MOT and not wearing a seatbelt.

But the team also showed their compassion and support to man seen walking in the middle of a road with no shoes on.

Through their conversation with him, they learned he was homeless so drove him to homelessness charity St Vincent’s Centre where he received hot food and shoes.

Going forward, they also booked a consultation with a charity in the area to assist him in finding a safe space to sleep in future.

Superintendent Leigh Norris, Essex Police's operations lead for south local policing area, said: "I’m very proud of our specials, and this is just another example of their excellent work in which they support their regular colleagues.

"They’re professional and dedicated to tackling the issues that matter most to our communities whilst safeguarding vulnerable people.

"At short notice, they often help us deal with response and neighbourhood policing and various other matters.

"In addition, they also provide invaluable help to our policing teams and communities.

"I’d encourage anyone who has skills in their 'other life' that they could use as a volunteer police officer, to keep Southend or any other area in Essex, safe, to join us."