Officers spread festive cheer across Welwyn Garden City

Ahead of the big day, the Welwyn Hatfield North Safer Neighbourhood Team were spreading festive cheer across Welwyn Garden City last week.

The team, led by Sergeant Emma Francis, are responsible for fixing local neighbourhood issues and they work closely with local businesses and partners such as the council to ensure the local area is a safe place for all.

Sgt Francis said: “The community is at the heart of what we do and so we wanted to spread some festive cheer and put smiles on faces. It’s been another tough year for everyone and we wanted to help those most in need.”

The team collected donations from local shops - The Works, The Entertainer, Boots and WH Smith – and these were hand wrapped by Sgt Francis, PCSO Richard Bunn, PCSO Sarah Skene and PCSO Clair Behling. The team itself also made donations, along with their relatives.

On Monday 22 December, the New Zion Christian Fellowship Foodbank came to the station to collect a huge bag of gifts. Another huge bag was also donated to the Children and Young Adults Centre at the New QEII Hospital. Other gifts were shared out to various community groups across the town.

Sgt Francis continued: “PCSOs Richard Bunn and Sarah Skene dropped off the donations at the hospital and they also visited the bingo hall in Peartree Lane, to chat to the local residents and drop off some chocolates!

“All the donations were greatly received and it was lovely to play our part in helping local residents to have an enjoyable Christmas. As your local officers, we want you to know that we are always here and ready to help. I would like to thank all the local businesses for their kind donations, plus PCSO Clair Behling who donated all the toys for the hospital.”

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