28/01/2010

Presenter Praises Community Police

GMTV presenter Andrew Castle has praised the police community support officer who recovered his stolen car.

Mr Castle's car went missing from outside his home in Balham, South London on 6 January.

He reported the matter to police but was not hopeful that the car, a Jaguar XF, would ever be returned.

However, on the 21 January Safer officer Graham Brown found the car during foot patrols in the Waters Square area of Norbiton.

Mr Brown, of Norbiton Safer Neighbourhood team, said: "I am very familiar with the area and cars in that road and this one just stood out. I conducted checks and found out that he had been reported as stolen.

"I contacted the victim and told them I had found their car. I waited with the vehicle and short while later the victim arrived to collect it. I immediately recognised him as Andrew Castle and he was very pleased that I had found his car."

Mr Castle said: "I was a bit shocked by the phone call from police as I never expected the car would be found. I was quickly told that it had been found and it had not been damaged at all.

"Safer Neighbourhood PCSOs have proved their worth as far as I am concerned."

He continued: "They really are the eyes and ears on the street and they are very valuable; I've got my car back, next time they might stop someone's house being broken into, or someone else's car being stolen.

"I'd like to thank them for all their continuing efforts at making our streets safer."

The investigation into the theft of the car is ongoing.

(PR/GK)

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