IT is the touching deed from three Southampton police officers that shows their job is about care in the community.

Their action comes after a vulnerable pensioner was betrayed by a younger man who befriended him.

The 79-year-old then paid him to do various DIY jobs around his home however they were left unfinished after the younger man vanished having stolen hundreds of pounds.

But now PCSO Holly Knight, PC Richard Baker and PC Jamie Sharp from Portswood police station have swapped their uniforms for overalls to finish off the work.

The officers took on the decorating role after the younger man pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrates’ Court to three offences of theft and was sentenced to a community order.

PC Baker, said: “When I heard his case, I wanted to finish the job for him and to be fair I was not short of volunteers who wanted to help me out.”

“It is our job to look after the community and assist where we can and to be people that go above and beyond what we need to do.

“In this man’s case we just wanted to help, as his family live a long way from him.”

The victim, who has not been named, said: “I am very grateful to the police. It is nice to see them support me and help me out.”