PCSO Chris Speedie, 35, will hold the first of his monthly surgeries at Norton Library next Wednesday, March 5, from 2pm until 4pm.

The former Norton College pupil said: “I just thought it would be a good idea to promote the town and introduce myself to the public and talk about any problems they may have or certain issues we are dealing with at the moment.”

Distraction burglaries and how to deal with cold callers will be high on the agenda at PCSO Speedie’s first surgeries, which are being held in the more informal setting of the library in a bid to encourage people to come down and chat.

PCSO Speedie worked at Tate Smiths for 17 years but gave up his job as a soft drink dispenser engineer to try “something different.”

He became a PCSO in November 2006 and spent his first year in Eastfield, Scarborough, before successfully transferring to Norton’s Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team.

“Nobody knew what I did when I was in Scarborough so a lot of people have been shocked when they see me out and about but really pleased for me,” he said.

The surgeries will be held at the library on the first Wednesday of every month.