Husband and wife team are partners in crime

A CRIME fighting husband and wife team sounds like something out of a comic strip, but that's exactly what is happening in Somerset. Gary and Julie Lewis are the police community support officers (PCSO) for Cheddar and Axbridge. Julie has worked in the area for two years, and has now been joined by her husband, who recently left his PCSO job in Weston to move to the villages. Gary said: "We've been married for 21 years and we never argue. We approach the job in different ways so when we work together we complement each other well."Gary transferred to Cheddar three weeks ago, and has been shown around the area by his wife. The couple have been patrolling together and have done speed watch, neighbourhood watch, school patrols and pub watch work. Julie said: "I think we will work really well together. We can bounce ideas off each other and work out new strategies."The couple met when they were 19 while they both worked for the Pembrokeshire National Trust promoting castles with a theatre group. Gary said: "I helped with transport and Julie worked on costumes, so I have worked with Julie before and I was looking forward to working with her again. "We've had loads of jobs since, but we became PCSOs because we wanted to make a difference in the community."Gary worked as a PCSO in Bridgwater and Weston before moving out to cover Cheddar and Shipham. Julie has been the Axbridge, Wedmore and Mark PCSO for a year. The couple, both 41, are now busy moving into their new house in Portishead as their two daughters Kayleigh aged 21 and Becky aged 19 have gone to university. Gary thinks the key to a good working partnership is to not bring work issues home.He said: "We had our 21st wedding anniversary in September and I started working with Julie just after. We know to leave work at work, and when we get home that's our time. We keep them as separate as we can, and I think we work together so well.