A PCSO of nearly 17 years is moving onto a new role as a community safety officer.

Sarah McCulloch is leaving Hampshire Police after nearly 17 years working as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) in the Meon Valley and the wider Winchester district. Mrs McCulloch will instead take on a new position as community safety officer for Whiteley Town Council.

Mrs McCulloch, 52, said: "I am passionate about this new role and I really want to make a difference to this growing community.

"It is going to be my job to deter anti-social behaviour, to have a visible presence across the town, and to be accessible and approachable to the many different sections of the community.

Hampshire Chronicle: Sarah as a PCSOSarah as a PCSO (Image: Contributed)

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“I am not able to investigate crimes but will have a strong working relationship with the local neighbourhood policing teams in both Winchester and Fareham including their designated police officers.”

Jon Woodman, chair of Swanmore Parish Council, said: "I believe that there is a clear need in our local parishes for these community roles. Swanmore, and the other villages we provide the service to, would not be without our Accredited Community Safety Officer, Gary and I am sure that Whiteley will see the same benefits in the near future".

Bishop’s Waltham Parish Council said: “The council is sad to hear of the news that PCSO Sarah McCulloch is leaving the police force. She has been a friendly support to Bishop’s Waltham residents, as well as all those in the Meon Valley, for over 17 years. Her professional dedication to her role is always appreciated and she will be much missed. We wish her all the best in her new job as ACSO covering Swanmore and Whiteley.”

Hampshire Chronicle: ASCO Gary McCulloch, Deputy PCC Terry Norton and CSO Sarah McCullochASCO Gary McCulloch, Deputy PCC Terry Norton and CSO Sarah McCulloch (Image: Contributed)

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Reflecting on the past two decades in the police, Sarah shared that her time as a PCSO has provided her with a lot of experience in a variety of difficult and sometimes challenging situations. She now wants to listen to the concerns of residents and help resolve problems as well as having a positive influence on others.

The new community safety officer will be working on a rotating shift pattern covering seven days a week from early morning starts to late evenings.

To help break the ice with the community, she said: "I have a border collie called Bowie, my favourite food for a Friday night is chips and gravy while watching a sunset, I’m dyslexic and didn’t realise until I was in my forties and I moved to Hampshire in 1993, when I was 21, as a Royal Navy wife.”

Sarah can be contacted on 07863 036 714 via WhatsApp, phone or text or on Facebook at Whiteley CSO.