Schools set to welcome new man on the beat

The beginning of the next academic year has seen PC Chris Finch become fully involved in his role as the schools' liasion officer.

Based at the town's police station, he has 39 schools and colleges within his patch. They stretch from the Bognor area coastline up to Midhurst, Petworth, Wisborough Green and Rake, skirting around Chichester.

PC Finch (42) said he expected to visit each school once a term unless he was called in especially.

'I think 99.9 per cent of young people are run of the mill good kids. It's just a small minority who cause problems and that's the same with police work in general. They are always going to push the boundaries, though, because that's what kids do.

'My role is to educate them about the things they may do without thinking about the consequences,' he stated.

His time with the younger pupils will see him emphasise matters such as road safety, bullying and personal safety.

For those over the age of ten '“ the age of criminal liability '“ the subjects will switch to the likes of criminal damage, antisocial behaviour, drugs and offensive weapons.

'It's all about breaking down the barriers between young people and the establishment of the police service,' he explained.

'We may wear a uniform but it's important for them to understand that we are the same as everyone else underneath that.'

PC Finch has been a policeman for 16 years. He has spent all his time with Sussex Police in the mid-Sussex, Brighton and Gatwick areas.

A father to two stepchildren, a move to Selsey with his wife late last year prompted the decision to work closer to his new home.

The retirement of the previous schools' liasion officer, PC Hilary Fogarty, in January, coupled with the enjoyment he gained from working as a community beat officer led him to apply for his new role. He explained: 'I found it really rewarding working with young people. They would come up to speak to you in the street and ask how you were.'