The new Chief Constable of Wales enters the fray this morning with a warning that the future of police community support officers (PCSOs) is at risk from budget cuts if the Tories get into government later this year.
The Western Mail points out that the Conservatives have so far refused to commit themselves to supporting PCSOs and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling is understood to be unconvinced by the initiative, which was brought in during David Blunkett’s time at the Home Office as a way of providing a more cost-efficient uniformed presence on the street.
Mr Vaughan, a former beat constable in Rhondda who has worked his way up to the force’s top job, admitted that the force would face “stark choices” if the dedicated funding for the 325 support officers was reduced or removed altogether.
He said: “It’s a real challenge for us. We have got neighbourhood PCSOs in every ward in South Wales. That’s 325 to 328 individuals. Some 75% of their costs comes from central Government.
“That’s a big chunk of money. If we were to lose that we would have to make stark choices.
Something else for people to think about when they vote in May.
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PCSOs have been an unmitigated disaster and a complete and utter waste of money. Getting rid of them would be a major vote winner.
As you dont appear to understand what PCSOs actually do, perhaps you’d like to look at this video of one at work..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hONE1V3gCk
Chief Constable of South Wales Police – we don’t have a national police force, thank goodness.
PCSOs have been a success in this side of the borough (Neath Port Talbot). But they can’t do everything, and we need more qualified police officers.