Staff from North Wales Police are working in partnership with colleagues at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and delivering potentially lifesaving home safety checks to those who may be at risk of having a fire in their home.

The pilot, which is currently running in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Porthmadog and Tywyn, and is set to expand to Bangor and Anglesey in September, sees local PSCOs undertaking checks which incorporate safety advice, installation of or testing of smoke alarms.

The checks will be undertaken where appropriate as part of the PCSO’s local duties.

All North Wales Police staff undertaking the checks have received training from colleagues at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Stuart Millington, Senior Fire Safety Manager at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, explained: “This is one of a number of pilot projects we’re working on in partnership with our colleagues in the emergency services to keep our communities safe.

“The benefits of collaborative working with other emergency and public services are obvious, both in monetary savings and in respect of delivering improved services to our communities.

“These checks really can save lives. We have seen the devastation that fires can cause first hand and know that a few simple precautions could have prevented countless tragedies.

“North Wales Police are supporting our delivery of vital fire safety messages and in return North Wales Fire and Rescue Service staff are being trained to deliver crime prevention surveys to our communities, as part of a far more integrated Home Safety Check.”

Inspector Paul Wycherley from North Wales Police, added: “We’re constantly looking at how we can alter our working practices to give the very best service to the public.

“This pilot project is an excellent example of an opportunity to discover efficient and effective ways to work either in partnership or on behalf of our other blue light colleagues to protect our communities.”