Page 24 - Oundle Life May 2025

they would say to me. Little did they know that
I understood every word… and replied back to
them, in their language! Besides English and
Portuguese I speak a few other languages too!
I wish I could have recorded their faces, they
were so embarrassed and apologetic!
What makes being a PCSO diff erent? It’s
quite unique – you manage your own time,
which is quite challenging. We have the ability to
tackle anti-social behaviour, gather intelligence,
crime inquires, high visibility proactive patrols,
street surgeries, attend meetings, school
interactions and reassure the public.
Proudest moment? When I laid a wreath
in Oundle on Remembrance Day a few
years ago or collecting a trophy for the most
Neighbourhood Watch sign ups at the time.
Any future ambitions? It would break my
heart leaving Oundle – I have no plans to leave.
What brings you joy? Th ere is nothing more
satisfying when you visit vulnerable families/
people and I am able to help them with their
concerns, or to gather enough evidence aft er a
thorough investigation and bring off enders to
justice, this is only the very few things in our
vast daily tasks and patrols.
Something people don’t know about
you? I was born in Mozambique, my parents
immigrated to what was still a Portuguese
colony in 1965, until the independence war
broke in 1974. We had to fl ee to the safety of
neighbouring countries overnight, leaving
everything behind. I was the oldest of three
siblings at only four years old! We managed to
get onto a train, not knowing where we were
going. We arrived in Rhodesia where we lived at
the mercy of the Catholic church missionaries.
My parents could not say a word of English.
Over time we managed to get back on our feet,
life was generous and we lived a happy and
comfortable life. However, Rhodesia, was going
through a very diffi cult political time and when
it was no longer safe, we had to leave. We arrived
in Portugal in 1984 where I married, worked and
lived until we came to England in 2005.
You have £10 to give to charity, who do you
choose? Any charity that involves, children and
families in need, HOMESTART comes to mind.
24