Beat: Life on the Street

Missed the webchat with Beat stars David Lingard and Stacey Wiggins? Here are some of the highlights...

Dahuk08: Hello, what made you want to become a PCSO?
Stacey Wiggins: Hmmm... I used to work in custody and I wanted a new challenge out and about, meeting members of the public, gathering information. New challenges basically on the way to wanting to become a police officer.

Slim2008: How do I stop noisy neighbours without confronting them or reporting them?
David Lingard: What you have to do is telephone the housing association. They will handle it anonymously and sensitively and might come and witness it professionally themselves so there's no need for the complainant to be involved. But don't suffer!
Stacey Wiggins: Or even contact us as a PCSO. Because we're a visible presence on the street we can just walk past the house and keep an eye on and make sure that there's no nuisance going on without having to talk to the people involved.

Janewman: What's the most rewarding part of your job?
David Lingard: I think understanding people's worries and fears of crime. The most rewarding part is bringing real consequences back to communities and making people proud to live on estates and proud to live in the UK.
Stacey Wiggins: Mine would be making a difference on the estate I work on and being thanked by the people that live in that community.

Rich: Do PCSOs have the power to remove bonfires, abandoned vehicles and rubbish?
Stacey Wiggins: Yes, we do have the power to do all of that. Obviously we have to use outside agencies like the council to deal with it. We've the power to have vehicles removed as well.
Stacey Wiggins: It all has to be dealt with by outside agencies, but we do have the power to get them removed, yes.

Xbutterfly16x: Hey guys, I was wondering what do you feel is the hardest part of your job
David Lingard: Gosh! I think getting members of the community to engage and work with us. In Preston the police should be renamed supercops and essentially it's about building trust and building relationships.

Sherie: Have you any tips about becoming a PCSO?
Stacey Wiggins: Top tips! If you like community based work and enjoy meeting and greeting new people. If you enjoy working outside, obviously there's lots of walking involved and we're always outside. If you like a challenge that's always a good one.
Stacey Wiggins: If you work hard and want to make a difference I would say definitely look at becoming a PCSO.

Jon: Hey guys, I'm a PCSO from West Midlands. How are you seen by your fellow officers and community. Do you have good relations with them?
Stacey Wiggins: I have an absolutely fantastic relationship with my team and police officers. It's not them and us, we are a team. Other officers and I get on really really well. Sometimes it's hard to convince the community about our role and what our powers are.

Mikeyboy: Hi, I'm finding it hard to join the police force I didn't do good at school. Any advice?
David Lingard: I would think about going to night school, getting additional qualifications. There are specific courses to becoming a police officer as far as I'm aware. Pre-uniform train. Don't give up - you have to stick to it!
Stacey Wiggins: You don't necessarily need a lot of qualifications to become a police officer or a PCSO. To become a police officer there is a test. My advice would be to get online and get a "How to become a police officer" DVD.

Dean: People in my estate keep killing or stamping on my flowers. What should I do?
David Lingard: Don't put up with it. Contact your housing advisor and the police. It is criminal damage at the end of the day. Again, please don't suffer, do something.

Osgar: Hi Stacey. How stressful is it working in the police force?
Stacey Wiggins: It can be very stressful, but the key is to not let it get you down. I try not to take any of my stresses home with me and leave my stresses at work.

Proppacoppa: To David, can you arrest people?
David Lingard: I have the common law power to arrest people, but in my job I wouldn't do. If I came across a serious crime, I would use my common law power to arrest and detain someone until the police came, but I wouldn't advise it.

Matthew: Do you find you perform better on or off camera?
David Lingard: I performed exactly the same, and I would hope that people wouldn't think that we have played up for the camera. You've seen exactly as exists in Preston.
Stacey Wiggins: You can't re-enact our job, what you see is what you get. The performance that people see on TV is the the same as when the camera isn't there - you can't rehearse our jobs.

Jim: How do you deal with large groups of youths, especially if they are being abusive?
David Lingard: Diplomacy is the key - and understanding. Obviously doing a careful risk assessment and challenging their behaviour if it's appropriate.
Stacey Wiggins: I would talk to them, try to calm them down, find out what the problem was. If they were continuing to be abusive to me and my colleagues I would call to my unit for back-up. If you're intimidated call the police or PCSO, it doesn't hurt.

Bogie: My neighbours have been using drills and hammering late on a Sunday night. I have complained to them and they have stopped, but I shouldn't have to keep asking them. What else can I do?
David Lingard: I agree, you shouldn't have to keep asking them. If the problem's stopped, leave it and don't make an issue out of it, but if it starts up again talk to them about it or contact environmental health via your local council/housing provider.
David Lingard: Talk to them and make them understand how it's impacting on you.

Murphy123: Does it take a lot more to get an ASBO, after being on an ABC?
Stacey Wiggins: It can, it depends on what the problems are and how the problems are occurring. An ABC (Acceptable Behaviour Contract) has to be agreed and signed by the person that has it and isn't a legally binding document. If it is broken, it can be used as evidence.

Amy1986: I really admire all the police officers and PCSOs who work so hard and feel inspired to make a difference and help others too. Where do I start?
Stacey Wiggins: You could try contacting your local police station and try to come out on an attachment with either a police officer or a PCSO. You can get involved with us and get stuck in talking to members of the public. That's what I did before being a PCSO.

Prince87: I am frequently confronted in the street by yobbos demanding to use my mobile telephone. Are tasers legal, and if so which do you recommend?
Stacey Wiggins: No, they are not legal! They can only be used in this country by firearms police officers. If you're caught with one you'll be arrested. Contact the police about the behaviour and don't hand your mobile over - try to walk away and get to a safe place.

Kaytey9: How would you react if a close member of your family were breaking the law?
David Lingard: I'd be sensitive depending on the nature of the possible offence. Gosh, you've put me on the spot.  Obviously, I would advise if it were one of my children I'd give advice and support them, but I wouldn't condone any illegal activity.

Snakepit: Do PCSOs have the same powers as the police?
Stacey Wiggins: No they don't. PCSOs do not have the power to arrest, but we do have the power to detain until a police officer arrives. PCSOs powers differ depending on the police force but it's hard to be specific.
Stacey Wiggins: For more information on that you can always check the website of the local police force.

Danny17: Is it illegal to light fires on public property?
David Lingard: Yes - it's a breach of the environmental protection act. Why would you want to? Think of the environment. On the 5th of November the authorities tend to be lenient as long as it's safe.

B B: Do you have fun working on and off screen?
David Lingard: It's exactly the same that you've had an insight into. I'm just the same and unfortunately I look like Mr Bean as well, though I've lost two stone because of the programme.

Bethany: Stacey, do you find being a woman in the police force a problem?
Stacey Wiggins: I don't find it a problem, even though myself and Rachel are the only two females on the whole team out of 20. That can work to an advantage because we get to sit at the front of the vehicles and go through doors first! I don't feel different though.
David Lingard: If you want to work in the forest you have to handle your half of the log!

Proppacoppa: Stacey, do you ever have scary days on the job?
Stacey Wiggins: It can be scary when you are out there on quite a hard estate with potentially no back up - no handcuffs, baton because we don't have the power to carry those. I always know there's someone on the end of the radio, but I've not had any scary days yet.

Mr Pink: Hi Dave, I reckon you are great. Do you think plain speaking helps?
David Lingard: Absolutely. I have to modify my language and adapt it to a particular audience, but I believe plain speaking with some of our customers certainly helps sort some of this stuff out.

Chazza: Our next door neighbours smoke drugs on their front garden and you can smell it in our house. Is there anything we can do?
David Lingard: Pick up the phone and call the police. The police can use their criminal powers and the housing authority can use their tenancy powers, but do not put up with it, please! It's illegal to smoke cannabis in public or private.
David Lingard: Illegal is not sick a bird, illegal means doing wrong!

Gg: Do you have to train and take the same courses as a normal police officer?
Stacey Wiggins: We do have to train. The training is five weeks in class and four weeks on the street and then you're out on your own. It's not as intense as a police officer but we do do a lot of the training they have to do.

Soarlikeabird: How do I stop noisy neighbours if they own the property?
David Lingard: Contact environmental health. If you are a tenant, contact your environmental health service and they have powers to stop the behaviour and seize equipment like stereos.

Yesmate: How do you feel when you have to evict people?
David Lingard: If people don't want to modify their behaviour when they are causing suffering to others in the community, I have no hesitation to bring consequences and I'm happy to do that.

Matthew: What do you find is the most common crime in the streets you work in?
David Lingard: People under 25 are more likely to be victims of assault and robbery, but I wouldn't worry too much because the UK's not that bad.
Stacey Wiggins: Where I am it's criminal damage caused by anti-social behaviour.
David Lingard: Thanks for watching and supporting your local sheriff and see you soon!
Stacey Wiggins: Thanks for all your questions and support. Hope you enjoy the rest of the programmes.