An ex-army officer and a former custody officer are helping the streets of St Albans safe.

Former serviceman Dan Urquhart and Donna Peters have joined the St Albans central, north and west safer neighbourhood team as PCSOs.

Mr Urquhart took up the post covering the city centre in April and hit the ground running.

After being made aware of fraudulent cards being used in H&M, PCSO Urquhart chased a suspect and caught him in French Row.

One of the suspects , a 29-year-old man from Edgware who was also wanted by police in Italy, was arrested and charged and a 22-year-old man has been released under investigation.

The following day, three men were reported using fake debit cards in St Albans. PCSO Urquhart stopped the car they were attempted to drive off in and with help from police officers, two of them were arrested and charged and a third man was released under investigation.

Mr Urquhart, who was a combat vehicle mechanic but had to leave the forces after a sports injury, said: “It’s similar in that it is a disciplined and active role and I enjoy talking to people and helping them during difficult times.”

PCSO Urquhart has also taken part in several community indicatives and spoke to the children Maple Primary School about personal safety.

He said: “I was so pleased to be posted in St Albans as I know the area really well and I think local knowledge really helps in this job.

"I enjoy working closely with my police officer colleagues and St Albans City and District Council to deal with all crime, but especially purse-dipping and shoplifting in the city centre”.

His colleague Donna Peters is mainly centred in the Sopwell ward. Since she started has done lots of patrolling, house-to-house enquiries following burglaries, collecting and viewing CCTV.

PCSO Peters used to work as a Home Office custody officer, where she would transport criminals, often dangerous, across the country, to the court, embassies or to airports to be deported.

She has also worked as a flight attendant and a greeter for Harrods Aviation, and seen gold bullion and diamonds being loaded onto aeroplanes.

She said: “This job was a complete contrast to being a custody officer – I’ve seen people at their lowest, who are serving long sentences for their crimes and celebrities who have a flamboyant lifestyle. Both have their fair share of problems.

Peters is very active off duty and likes working with charities.

“Three years ago, she cycled from Luton to Brussels – 100 miles a day – for charity.

She said: “It was the biggest challenge of my life!”