A Warm Welcome to PCSO Panduma Munetsi

Panduma recently took over as Police Community Support Officer for Hampton Wick & South Teddington, replacing Dave Auld, who has retired. Dave will be much missed as he was a familiar face around “The Wick” for many years. One of his achievements was to establish the community garden plot at the allotments. As Panduma lists gardening amongst her interests and hobbies, we are optimistic she too will take an interest.

Panduma joined at the end of July, having previously worked in southeast London. As she lives in the Sunbury area, she will not miss the long commute. She already knows the area as her daughter left Teddington school this year before moving onto university.

One of Panduma’s priorities is preventative work. She feels if she can nip crime in the bud, it has benefits down the line. She has already started working in the local schools, offering her services where needed.

She is pleasantly surprised how respectful the community is in Hampton Wick. Her presence is reassuring, especially to the vulnerable. She is impressed with the wealth of multi agency organisations in the borough which the police can call on.

Although the front desk is soon to close, Panduma starts her day at Twickenham police station where she organises her work for the day, before travelling to Hampton Wick. She is frequently welcomed and approached by local residents on the buses. I commented on the sturdiness of her boots, which are police issue. They give her good support which she needs as she can walk up to 20,000 steps a day!

If you see her out and about, feel free to stop and say “Hello”.