Community officer gets top honour
SUPPORT COPPER AWARDED FOR SERVICE
A PCSO has been recognised for his long-standing work in south Manchester as he celebrates 13 years in the force this week.
PCSO Gary Rothwell, 55, has been patrolling the streets in Levenshulme since December 2006 and was recently honoured with the Pride of Levenshulme award.
The award, nominated by residents in Levenshulme including former Liberal Democrat councillor John Commons and Moreno Zocca, owner of Tony’s Barbers, was given to Gary by Lord Mayor at the Levenshulme Christmas lights switch-on in November.
“It was a massive honour,” Gary tells the M.E.N.
“I was gobsmacked. Really, I was. You don’t do it for the recognition but I was incredibly grateful because it’s nominated by the residents.”
John Commons said one of the reasons Gary was nominated was because of his hard work and how he has ‘really made a difference over the years.’
“He’s had over 12 years’ service in the area and this award is to recognise how he has gone over and above during that time,” John added.
Before every shift, Gary has to make the 45-minute journey from Whitworth near Rochdale to West Didsbury Police Station before heading out on patrol in Levenshulme, but he says the journey is worth it. “I’ve worked here for years, and I wouldn’t change it at all because of the people,” he said.
“You get to know everyone and all the business owners, it’s a great area.” Gary adds that recent improvements and schemes in the area, such as the Levenshulme Bee Network and the revamped Levenshulme Market, has really stood the area in good stead.
“There’s such a great community spirit here and lots of residents are actively trying to make the neighbourhood a good place to live in.” Gary says that when he first started in Levenshulme there were a lot of thefts and burglaries but the biggest issue in the area is now car crime and is something police are ‘actively working hard on tackling.’
This year, Gary spent a quiet Christmas with family in Whitworth, but will get a rare New Year’s Day off – his first in seven years – before he’s back on the streets shortly after.
“But what I really like about this job is that you never know what each day is going to bring – every day is different and I really enjoy helping people.”
PCSO Gary Rothwell