PCSOs hailed by Beverley and Holderness MP

GRAHAM STUART, MP for Beverley and Holderness, has written to the Chief Constable of Humberside Police asking him to do all he can to maintain the role of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) even in the current financial circumstances.

His call comes as the Chief Constable, Tim Hollis, looks to make efficiency savings across the force. A recruitment freeze has already been introduced.

The Beverley and Holderness MP said:

“I fully understand the need to make savings in order to tackle the vast deficit but wanted to let the Chief Constable know that PCSOs are valued by local communities and make a significant contribution to the effectiveness of neighbourhood policing. When the allocation for Humberside Police is announced in the coming weeks I hope the force will retain PCSOs as an important part of the police service.”

The Chairman of the Humberside Police Authority, East Riding Councillor Christopher Matthews, has also recognised the value of PCSOs. He said during a recent online consultation exercise, that: 

"Policing is one of my priorities and is also the priority for the Home Secretary. PCSOs are the very front of the frontline policing. Whilst I cannot guarantee that the PCSOs will not be cut, they will definitely not be the first thing to go." 

The Humberside Police Authority has asked Town and Parish Councils to consider the option of funding PCSOs and has pointed to examples where councils have helped fund neighbourhood policing teams with bicycles.

Link: Graham Stuart MP and Humberside Police Authority