PCSO Snubs Appeal for Help in Supermarket Assault Row
A TikTok clip showing a Sussex Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) refusing to act during a supermarket scuffle has stirred up a storm. The footage, shot inside a Co-op store in Lancing, captures a man pleading with the PCSO to get involved in an alleged assault. The PCSO coolly replies, “I’m not a response unit,” before walking off.
Frustration Mounts as Officer Shrugs Off Urgent Plea
The man in the video tells the PCSO that shoppers are trying to detain a shoplifter and that the situation is urgent. He snaps, “People have called the police and you’re sitting here.” But the PCSO brushes off the alarm, insisting his role doesn’t cover emergency response. The exchange leaves onlookers fuming as the officer ignores the chaos around him.
Sussex Police Launch Probe After Public Outcry
Sussex Police quickly responded, confirming they are investigating the incident. A police officer was sent to the scene on an emergency call, with the PCSO arriving later. Superintendent Nick Dias apologised for the PCSO’s “clumsy language” and assured the public that the incident is under review.
“A police unit was dispatched as a priority,” Dias said, aiming to quell concerns over the PCSO’s refusal to help.
Crime Commissioner Demands Accountability
Katy Bourne, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, slammed the PCSO’s response as unacceptable. After receiving the video from a member of the public, she passed it to the Chief Constable. The footage has now been handed to the professional standards department for a full investigation.
“This is not the response the public expects,” Bourne stated. “They deserve far better from those sworn to protect them.”
What’s a PCSO? Support, Not Arrests
PCSOs were introduced in 2002 to back up neighbourhood policing teams. They do not have powers of arrest or the ability to handle certain dangerous tasks. However, they can use reasonable force to stop someone escaping or escort them to a police station while waiting for a constable.
