Two Ceredigion police community support officers have shared their experiences of life on the job as Dyfed-Powys celebrated the contribution of PCSOs this week.

PCSOs work on the front line providing a visible and reassuring presence on streets throughout the country and are celebrated from 10 to 14 December through a campaign called #ThoseInBlue.

All week the force is showcasing the work of their PCSOs and recognising the vital role they play.

PCSO Iona Jones-Kenny, stationed at Lampeter has been a PCSO for five months.

She said she joined up as she “wanted a new challenge”.

She said she aspires to “build good links within the community and continue helping people”, and specialises in working in schools and with young people thanks to her previous work.

PCSO Matthew Kieboom, who covers rural villages and the coast in south Ceredigion stationed at Cardigan, has been in his role for more than five years.

“When I first moved here it became very obvious that there were strong communities and my wife Debbie and I were quickly welcomed,” he said.

“I wanted to help support and improve and protect those communities.

“With a uniformed background, when I saw the job advertised, it just called out to me.”

Dyfed-Powys Police’s Temporary Deputy Chief Constable, Richard Lewis, leads the portfolio for PCSOs in Wales.

He said: “PCSOs are an integral part of the police family.

“It is different to being a warranted police officer, and is a job in its own right. PCSOs are not only the eyes and ears in our communities, but also help tackle problems which cause the most concern for people living in Wales.”

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now