A POLICE community support officer has decided to leave the police after 10 years' service due to an increased ‘personal risk’.

PCSO Chris Hamer revealed he is stepping down after a decade of patrolling Rossendale’s streets.

The 30-year-old announced on social media he was to move away from the service and go into self-employment.

PCSO Hamer said: “I have gained so much life experience over the years and it’s been amazing to have the opportunity to improve the quality of many lives in our community.

“Over the years, the pressure has increased and so has the personal risk.

“I cannot speak for others but my morale has depleted and I find myself unable to continue in this role.

“So it is with deep sadness that I have taken the decision to give notice of resignation from Lancashire Constabulary.”

PCSO Hamer said he was doing this for “the sake of my health and my family.”

PCSOs work alongside full-time police and deal with minor offences, guard crime scenes, conduct house-to-house enquiries and provide a visible presence on the streets.

In a recent Police Federation welfare survey carried out in Lancashire’s police service, 86 per cent of respondents said there were not enough police officers to do the job properly, 75 per cent of respondents said their workload was too high and 49 per cent reported their job was very or extremely stressful.

PCSO Hamer continued: “An opportunity has arisen whereby I can provide a better quality of life for my children and I must do right by them.

“I will be leaving the policing sector and entering the world of self-employment.

“I have worked with some incredible and caring people over the years, some who have already left the service and some still serving and doing their best under increasing workload and reduced resources.

“I would like to thank Lancashire Constabulary for the support and providing me with my role within the service during these challenging times.”

On Twitter, Lancashire’s chief constable Andy Rhodes said: “Chris, from all us here thank you for years of dedicated service and as you can see from the comments the impact you’ve made is something to be proud of."