At the Armed Forces Network’s Together We Can Make A Difference conference in May in Sussex, PCSO Adrian Butterworth was named an Armed Forces Champion 2022. The award is given to individuals who have demonstrated dedication and support for the Armed Forces community. PCSO Butterworth works as a Crime Prevention Officer for Thanet Community Safety Unit, visiting local groups and individuals to support and advise them on how to stay safe. He is also an armed forces champion for Kent Police, and he has helped many veterans he has met in the community, as well as those who have been identified as having a connection to the forces through calls received through the Force Control Room. Adrian regularly attends coffee mornings for veterans organised by Age Concern in Margate, where he informs them about issues affecting their community and warns them about scams that may target the elderly. He also participates in local Thanet events such as Armed Forces Day and Remembrance Sunday. He organised and led a group of volunteers last year to clean up the War Memorial in Margate’s Trinity Memorial Gardens in time for Armistice Day. ‘I was not aware I was receiving an award- it came as a complete surprise – I had no idea!’ said PCSO Butterworth, who served in the Royal Artillery for nine years. As part of my job, any calls to the control room relating to anyone who has served in the forces, as well as any police response, will be flagged to me.’ I will contact the veteran, whether young or old, victim or perpetrator, and arrange a meeting over a cup of tea and a chat. If I can assist them, I will; perhaps they have PTSD or mental health issues, or they are struggling to find a home or a job, or they simply can’t settle back into civilian life after their time in the military. They say a problem shared is a problem halved, so if they want to express themselves without judgement or need assistance, I will do what I can.’ ‘PCSO Butterworth plays an important role in that he can use his own personal experience to connect with those in need who have military backgrounds,’ said Inspector Ian Swallow of Thanet Community Safety Unit. ‘Sometimes, people want to talk about their concerns with someone who can reassure them from a similar perspective, and we are proud of PCSO Butterworth’s ability to do so. He will assist them in reporting a crime, and if it is not a police matter, he will work with partner agencies to refer veterans to additional resources.’ Adrian accepted his award at the Kent and Medway Civilian Military Partnership Conference in Folkestone on Tuesday, June 7. Lady Colgrain, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Kent, presented it to him.
