Susan Fletcher

“My role involves conducting crime prevention visits to high risk, vulnerable and repeat victims. These visits range from high risk domestic violence victims to repeat victim of burglary. This includes offering advice, providing target-hardening – security and crime prevention measures or products - either at the time of the visit or arranging for security products to be installed using our technicians. Visits are conducted either on my own, or joint visits with the Fire and Rescue Service and housing associations.

“I also conduct Environmental Visual Audits (EVA) to look at any current problems that may exist and figure how to help prevent future crime issues. This often involves spending time in the area to spot any issues, getting local knowledge of the area from residents, local council and police. Also obtaining and going through reported crime data.

“EVAs I’ve completed have been known to help reduce crime within areas. This is a real achievement. One of our recent EVAs was completed for Rushden Town Centre, to support the Town Council with applying for a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the town, which has been approved and are now working to help implement it along with recommendations from the EVA. 

“Some other areas of work I complete in this role includes being part of the County Schools Challenge which involves raising awareness of important social issues and teaching invaluable skills to students. Every year there is a new theme, with this years’ theme being violence against women and girls.

“I’m also involved in organising the delivery of training for officers and external agencies who visit vulnerable people to promote awareness around scams, rogue traders and doorstep crime.

“A typical day for me involves spending the first hour or so looking through emails, accepting and researching new referrals, preparing for visits and sending recommendations to relevant agencies from the previous day, etc so that I have the rest of the day out and about conducting visits.

“Around 22 years ago, I was redeployed into community safety, as an admin assistant. My interest in becoming a crime prevention officer grew over the years, and a rare opportunity arose to apply for the role of CPO due to retirement. I applied, was interviewed for the post and unfortunately was unsuccessful. Shortly after this, I was asked if I would like a secondment for six months to cover sickness leave, so I jumped at the chance. This was then extended when another member went onto maternity leave. During this time, additional hours were made available for another full-time post, which I applied for and was successful, and here I am today. 

“I love the variety of the job. Going out to people, listening and try to help them the best I can. It’s a great feeling knowing that when you leave them after offering advice and installing target hardening products, how much more relaxed they are and that they are not alone. It’s really nice when victims I’ve helped approach me when they see me out and about and they stop to talk to me to let me know how they are getting on.

“Being part of a fantastic team who work well together also helps. Although we’re a small team we do support and look out for each other. 

“The job can be difficult when we visit victims, especially the backlash we face from victims due to police officers having not been able to attend previously, for whatever reason. I just listen, take in what they are saying, let them now that I am not an officer and that I will take their concerns away and inform the relevant person. 

“As a result of doing this job, I would say my children always complain that I am now overprotective, but as I say I know what goes on out there more than they do. I also find myself look at properties and thinking they need to do this or do that.  The job has also made me more confident and tough, in myself and around people.

“Through this role if I can help someone from becoming a repeat victim or even a victim in the future, then it’s worthwhile.”

Carole Jones, Crime Prevention Team Leader and Susan’s supervisor, said: “Suzie is an integral part of the team, she works above and beyond to ensure she does the best she can to provide safety advice and security to protect vulnerable people in the community. She is thorough and professional in her service delivery and always takes time to check that what she has advised is understood, and that people feel safer.

“Suzie works brilliantly with her team colleagues and internal colleagues in neighbourhood policing, as well as external partnerships, always willing to help with a ‘can do’ attitude. This has really helped her grow in confidence and has helped to embed the work of crime prevention in working relationships as well as ensuring awareness across a wide range of the public, and commercial sector.

“Suzie’s thorough work on completing the EVA’s for the OPFCC helped in securing the funding requested and since the recommendations she made have been actioned, there has been a significant reduction in the levels of crime in the designated areas.

“I consider Suzie’s work to be exemplary, I am so proud of her and what she does and feel strongly that she should be recognised for her efforts and achievements.”

To find out more about a role in Crime Prevention and to view all our current vacancies, please use the link below.