PCSO Victor Finch

My name is PCSO Vic Finch, I have been a PCSO since 2004, at Crawley and now at Gatwick Airport. I work closely with Gatwick Airport Ltd to make a safe environment for staff and passengers that use the Airport. At Gatwick, I am the Disability Engagement Officer (DEO), working in partnership with Gatwick Airport to engage with, and offer support and advice to, people in the community who have a disability. I am the Secretary for the Sussex Police Disability & Carers Association (SPDCA). We are a recently formed staff support group. The aim of SPDCA to promote an organisational culture that enables people with or affected by disabilities to participate fully, free from discrimination, in all aspects of Sussex Police business. We are also open to those without a disability, impairment or medical condition, but have caring responsibilities for someone that has a disability.

[pcsofinch]

Look back over the last year

Well 2015 has flown by, and a new year starts tomorrow. Over the last year I have been involved with many things, here are a few that I can remember: 1, Policing Gatwick. Policing Gatwick Airport is completely different from policing the streets of Sussex. I have been at Gatwick for 6 years and I love it. I get involved with so many engagement events from Fun days to Assisting Gatwick Airport with Disability Groups visiting the airport. Thanks to Tony Gilbert from Gatwick Airport who makes these events happen and allowing me to be part of it. Christmas is a great time at the airport too, I was working Christmas Eve and the whole morning was full of fun and entertainment for the public. You may have seen a few tweets from my Twitter account? I had the pleasure of meeting Santa and his Reindeer too! 2, Partnership Working. I have built so many great partnerships over the last year working with the airlines to businesses on the Airport. Also a few charities such as A21 and Streetlight Uk. Looking forward to another year raising awareness. 3, Hotel Watch. Where do I start with Hotel Watch? It's grown so much since 2011. It's now recognised as best practice from the college of policing. UK Police Forces have contacted me so that they can set up schemes. I feel I have a great relationship with the hotels, and I am honoured it has been recognised. The end of last year I was invited with the Chief Constable to an awards event with the high sheriff of West Sussex for the work I have done regarding the Hotel Watch Scheme. 4, Mind Charity and SPDCA Sussex Police Disability and Carers Association. In the summer of this year I was invited to attend the signing of the blue light by the mind charity. The signing was from both Sussex and Surreys Chief Constables. This is a great bit of work, I have been involved with on how to support officers and staff within the work force and to get away from the mental health stigma. I must say thank you to Chief Inspector Simon Nelson for your continued support and the chair of the Support Network with Sussex Police.

[pcsofinch]

Community Engagement / Joint Working

Over the last few months, I have been working with various agencies at Gatwick. Such as: Engaging with Airport Security supporting them on their day to operations Working with partners with problem solving and setting out to achieve aims and objectives around crime. Building community relations with partners, such as retail units, airline staff etc. Understanding roles of others, so we can work together to achieve the same result in reducing crime and keeping Gatwick Safe. I have taken ownership of some projects, such as reviewing Hotel Watch and working with others, building a better network. At times, the amount of people we have at Gatwick, it’s like a mini city. Tens of thousands of people travelling or working. Each day is very different as it’s such a transient community, no day is the same. One day your'e dealing with passengers and the next your'e joint working with Partner Agencies. It has been very busy, but worth it.

[pcsofinch]

Operation Disrupt

Operation Disrupt is a Gatwick Police summer campaign based around dealing with disruptive passengers travelling on certain routes which have been flagged up by airline companies based at the airport.

The vast majority of passengers come to the airport, have a great time and board their flight with no issues. The shame is like most things in life that a very small minority can ruin it for all through anti social / drunken behaviour.

It is mainly on late evening and night flights which allows certain passengers the opportunity to drink alcohol before arriving at the airport and then to carry on drinking within the airport before they board the aircraft. 

By engaging with these individuals at an early stage, explaining to them the pit falls of being drunk when getting to the aircraft and offering them a leaflet with more detailed information on we are looking to reduce incidents taking place once the aircraft is in flight. 

Gatwick Police are working in conjunction with some of the UK based major airlines who work at London Gatwick Airport in spreading the word that anti social / drunken behaviour will not be tolerated. The very least is that a passenger will be refused carriage with also the possibility that they could be arrested.

[pcsofinch]

Easter Break

I am lucky enough to have some time off over the Easter Weekend, so some family time for me. Back to work on Thursday, and have a few things planned already. Such as the AGM for the Sussex Police Disability Association. Looking forward to Saturday 11th April, as I am involved with a disabled group having a tour of Gatwick Airport, joint working with Gatwick Airport to make it happen.

[pcsofinch]

Gatwick Hotel HR Forum

Over the last 12 months I have been working on a project with a number of Hotels. We have set up a Hotel HR Forum. The forum is a great success so far and all feel positive about the future of the Gatwick HR Forum.

  Throughout the year, there were numerous ideas and opinions on how to build the network and work towards developing a best practice of communication between the Police, UKBF, HR and local employers. Ultimately we are working towards a better and safer future for Gatwick Airport.

[pcsofinch]

Knowledge Development Seminar - Autism & Policing

As part of the Policing and Research programme in Sussex Police, the organisation actively engaged with research led by the University of Bath to assess the experiences of people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder in the Criminal Justice System.

Initial analysis of responses from police officers by Dr Maras has highlighted some considerations including the identification of ASD and the difficulties faced in such cases.

A Knowledge Development Seminar is being held in Slaugham Manor on February 26th 2015 at 0945. This is being hosted jointly by the Policing and Research and Diversity branches.

Autism Sussex will deliver a presentation on the work that they are undertaking and highlight consideration of ASD within the criminal justice system.

The research team have agreed to present information on their initial findings and will be supported by speakers from within the service who have personal experience of caring for those with ASD. Local organisations and partners will also be invited to the event. 

Please use the following link to book your place (https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=142375813575  ). Thank you.

For further information please email Emma Rees on [email protected]

Schedule: 0945 Registration 1000 Opening Address - ACC Barry 1010 Autism Sussex - Richard Brown, Board of Trustees 1100 Refreshments 1120 Experiences of the Criminal Justice System for people with ASD - Dr Kate Maras & Dr. Laura Crane 1220 Caring for a Person with ASD - PC Roger Canning 1245 Pegasus Card Information - TBA 1300 Closing Address - CSupt Honnor (Sussex Police Equality Champion)

[pcsofinch]

The last week...

Over the last week, I have been busy with various projects at Gatwick. We are planning a Airside Safety Day at the Airport working closely with Gatwick Staff checking various Airside Vehicles from catering trucks to tugs to making sure they are safe. Gatwick Hotel Watch is going from strength to strength, which is great news. Myself and Inspector Mark Callaghan are meeting up soon to discuss a new website for Hotel Watch and the Airport Aviation Enthusiasts. I am also attending the Gatwick Hoteliers Association next week, which is being held at a local hotel for all the General Managers to attend and discuss any issues or problems with me. I have been in contact with Jersey Police with regards to Hotel Watch as they want to set it up over there! Discussing Best Practices and assisting them to get them started. Gatwick Hotel HR forum is being planned for next month by Rachel Thomas, Gatwick Hilton Hotel. Overall it's been a busy week and I have more bits planned for next week!

[pcsofinch]

Autism Coffee Afternoon at HQ on the 04th Feb was a great success. It was my first event as Secretary of the Sussex Police Disability and Carers Association. This was a chance for officers and staff to get together and to discuss and share experiences if they have a caring responsibility for someone with Autism. It was a great turn out and thanks to Sussex Police Diversity Team for helping to make it happen!

[pcsofinch]

A new year....A new start

Well it’s the beginning of a new year at Gatwick and with that it brings a new Sergeant to our team. PS Darren Taylor has become part of the Airport Community Safety Team here at Gatwick Police Station. I used to work with PS Taylor on the Neighbourhood Policing team at Crawley so look forward to working with him again.

Although the airport goes slightly quiet at this time of year there are still people carrying their skis around the airport in long colourful bags whilst others are jetting off to hot weather in far away countries. 

The team and I look to carrying on engaging with the airport community, working with them to reduce crime and to making sure people traveling to Gatwick have a safe and less stressful experience by being there for them. For some people landing into Gatwick it may be the first experience they have of a UK Police staff and first impressions last so it is important that our approach is not only professional but friendly as well.

We have had a bit of a move around at our Station, moving offices soon which will allow us more room to work and have a better working relationship with response officer. This will allow us to work together better and also when we plan operations around the Airport. 

We are having a major clean out in our current office, its amazing what you collect over the years...

[pcsofinch]

Airport Community Safety Team

Working at Gatwick is completely different than working on division such as Crawley or Haywards Heath. I am part of the ACST which means Airport Community Safety Team, it's a team of PCSO's, Police Officers and Sergeants. It's similar to a NPT (neighbourhood Policing Team) but our role is Airport specific. Working closely with other agencies to make a safe Airport for staff and passengers. At times, the amount of people we have at Gatwick, it's like a mini city. Tens of thousands of people traveling or working. Each day is very different as it's such a transient community, no day is the same. One day your dealing with passengers and the next your joint working with Partner Agencies. Gatwick is a great place to work.

[pcsofinch]

Sussex Police Disability & Carers Association

Part of my role is being the secretary for the This is a great job and I absolutely get great pleasure from this as you make a real difference. The support we give our members, by pointing you in the right direction for support when needed.

Part of this is offering awareness days, and I am planning a Carers Coffee Afternoon for any member of staff who is a carer of someone who is Autistic. Having an Autistic child can at times be mentally and physically tiring for parents and carers. And this will allow staff to get together, to discuss this with other parents / carers.

Often you feel alone and talking to others in the same situation helps.

We also have our AGM coming up in April so lots of planning for that. And I will update progress on this soon.

[pcsofinch]

Gatwick Hotel Scheme has been set up to allow the sharing of information between hotel partners and Sussex Police.

The scheme aims to:

Identify and minimise potential crime trends with the hotel environment.

Encourage the collection and dissemination of information.

Promote a safe and crime free environment.

Promote training and awareness in dealing with current crime and terrorism trends.

To set up better links with local police force / liaison officers.

How is this achieved?

By improving security, increasing vigilance, increasing crime prevention awareness.

By providing accurate information to scheme members about risks.

By ensuring prompt reporting of suspicious and criminal activity.

The Police can provide up to date information on crime trends as well as expert advice at no cost. Hotel watch scheme members can contribute valuable information about any problems they may have, which combined with the Police data, provides a powerful basis for action against crime and disorder. There is no cost to members, crime prevention advice and community safety information is provided free of charge. This scheme provides;

Opportunities to bring hotel businesses together

An increased awareness of local crime issues and how to tackle them

Real contributions to improving your area and quality of life

Greater vigilance

Increased crime prevention awareness, reducing the opportunities for crime

Better communication between business, the Police and other agencies at a local event.

For further information on the scheme please contact our Gatwick Hotel Liaison Officer, PCSO Victor Finch, email [email protected]

[pcsofinch]

First shift of 2015 Today I started at 7am, I arrived at the station and checked my emails and self briefed to see what has been happening. It's been very busy within the North Terminal today, working with my colleagues from the Airport Community Safety Team, Gatwick Operations. We have been supporting the Police Traffic Wardens on the forecourts. It's very cold and wet and let's just say I am completely wrapped up, because I am not planning to get wet! Well I will try. Today at its peak times between 11-12, we had 4,917 arriving passengers. Our main role was to keep the roads clear and to keep the traffic moving. We are also on hand to assist passengers who may need help. Question - how many people can you fit into a small car with 5 seats? Most people will say 5 but one driver thought it would be ok and try and put 7 people in his car..........

[pcsofinch]

A new year 2015

Well 2015 is here and I hope everyone had a great Christmas and new year! I am back to work after a few days off over Christmas and it's all go already. This weekend is one of the busiest weekends at gatwick so I will be on patrol within the terminals. I will try and post some pictures. Also this month I will visiting the gatwick hotels as part of my role as the gatwick hotel liaison officer, engaging with the hotel staff as part of Hotel Watch Scheme. I will also be updating what projects I am involved in at gatwick and at a force level. So many things planned and I am really looking forward to this year.

[pcsofinch]

My first blog

This is my first blog, and I am new to this! I have been a PCSO since 2004, I work at Gatwick Airport. I love working at Gatwick as its a different type of policing compared to the rest of the force. I work closely with Gatwick Airport Ltd, making a safe environment for passengers and staff. Every day is different, you never know what your doing or what you will deal with. I work closely with Gatwick Firearms teams and the Gatwick Dog unit. I am also the Secretary for the Sussex Police Disability & Carers Association (SPDCA). We are a recently formed staff support group. I really enjoy this as I am able to assist officers and staff across the force, pointing them in the right direction for support. The aim of SPDCA to promote an organisational culture that enables people with or affected by disabilities to participate fully, free from discrimination, in all aspects of Sussex Police business. In Feb 2014 I am hosting a staff coffee event at HQ where staff who have a careering reasonability for someone with Autism, this is a chance to get together and discuss issues and what's important to us.