Newsbeat Daily
PCSO Nicki Yates from Sandwell carried the Olympic Torch through Droitwich last month.
The Olympic panel chose Nicki to carry the torch as a result of her excellent work and commitment in her role as a PCSO inWest Bromwich.
Sandwell PCSO Nicki Yates carries the Olympic Torch
Nicki joined the force in 2006 and has spent her career so far in the Lyng and Kenrick neighbourhood team.
Nicki has launched herself into a variety of projects, including work with a number of primary schools in the area. She frequently gives talks to schools and has also set up a confidential anti-bullying counselling service for the children. She will also speak to the bullies and work with them on their behaviour.
She has set up projects around anti-social behaviour, stranger danger, knife crime and runs a TAG rugby team at various schools. As a result of her work in schools, Nicki has been appointed school governor at three local primary schools.
In addition to her work in schools, Nicki has set up a number of Neighbourhood Watch schemes and now manages twelve across her neighbourhood. She has also secured funding for a bingo club at a local home for the elderly.
All her good work was recognised when she won the West Midlands Association of Women in Policing award at a regional level in 2009 and at a national level in 2010.
[pullquote_right]“I had a wonderful day and the support I received was tremendous.”[/pullquote_right]Nicki said “I feel very honoured that I carried the torch. I had a wonderful day and the support I received was tremendous.
“To be given the opportunity to carry the torch for doing a job I love makes me feel very happy and proud, I will continue to give my all to my job.
“Since carrying the torch I have been very busy showing it off and I have also been asked to take it to local nurseries and schools including my old secondary school. The children have loved it. I have had that many photos taken I’m now feeling like a celebrity.”
Read this month’s News Beat Special on the Olympic Torch’s route through the region here.
