Police Community Support Officers are police staff who help regular police officers deal with quality-of-life issues like antisocial behaviour, youth nuisance, graffiti and criminal damage.

By doing this they free up time for police officers to spend tackling more serious crimes.

However they also play a preventative role by patrolling communities and are a key part of the 55 safer neighbourhood teams across South Yorkshire.

PCSOs have their own distinctive uniform, with a blue tie and a different cap and badge. They carry personal radios used on police channels and first aid kits and use a pocket notebook in the same way as a regular officer. They also use police information technology and intelligence procedures.

There are currently more than 328 PCSOs working across the county.

They have powers to deal with a variety of incidents including issuing fixed penalties for things like littering and dog fouling.

PCSOs are not intended to replace police officers and fulfil a different role to Special Constables, who continue to make an invaluable voluntary contribution to the force.

PCSOs also work closely with partners like local authority neighbourhood wardens and members of local residents' groups and neighbourhood watches to help find long-term solutions to local problems.

We are not currently advertising for the role of PCSO at the moment.

For further information about joining South Yorkshire Police, contact the recruiting department by email on syprecruiting@southyorks.pnn.police.uk