A man has been jailed after a police community support officer spotted a stolen car during a foot patrol in Cardiff.
South Wales Police were responding to reports of a Renault Clio that had been stolen from an NCP car park and was later seen being driven along Greenway Road on Friday, January 2. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but after a short pursuit it managed to get away.
Later the same day, PCSO Michael Davies was on foot patrol in St Mellons when he located the stolen car on Matthysens Way. He also noticed three men leaving the area.
PCSO Davies detained one suspect at the scene while police officer colleagues attended and arrested the other two men following further enquiries.
Andrew Damerum, 44, of no fixed abode, was subsequently charged in connection with the incident. He appeared at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court the following day, Saturday, January 3, where he admitted handling stolen goods, using a vehicle without insurance, and failing to stop when required to do so by a uniformed police officer.
Damerum was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison and disqualified from driving for six months. The stolen vehicle has since been returned to its owner.
South Wales Police said the incident highlights the important role PCSOs play in keeping communities safe, with their local knowledge and awareness regularly helping to prevent and detect crime.
