Lib Dems Pledge funding for PCSOs in spite of Government U-Turn

11.00.00am GMT Thu 20th Dec 2007

The arrival of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), has been hugely popular in Somerset and so everyone was delighted when in June 2006, the government pledged to increase the funding for new recruits. However, the Home Office later did a u-turn and reduced this funding by a third. The Avon & Somerset Police Authority and the Liberal Democrats at County Hall were bitterly disappointed with this, so much so that whilst the Police continued to bid for funding, the councillors committed to underwrite the shortfall up to an estimated half a million pounds.

At this week's Executive Board meeting, the figures were looked at in detail and the proposal passed for an additional thirteen PCSOs to be funded by the County Council and hopefully another thirteen, funded jointly by the five district councils (who haven't committed to this as yet). The maximum level of funding now available would provide a total of 137 PCSOs in Somerset, 70 and 67 in Somerset East and West respectively and whatever else happens, the Liberal Democrats' commitment will bring this figure up to 150.

Cllr. Jim Mochnacz, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, commented after the meeting:

"One of the major outcomes hoped for, is to tackle alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour, particularly tackling sales of alcohol to minors through test purchasing and it would be possible for a PCSO to be used for this. Therefore, in addition to the core service provision of 150 posts, it is agreed that Somerset County Council totally funds two additional specialist PCSO posts (one in each Policing District) to be 'seconded' to the county's Trading Standards department. They will work specifically with trading standards officers checking for under age sales of alcohol in pubs, clubs and off-licences.

"Communities are strongly identifying with their PCSOs and are reaping the benefits of having them. Besides tackling under-age drinking, our agreement with the police involves the PCSO helping in many other areas, such as; truancy, violence and bullying, responding to public concerns within a reduced time-scale and dealing with doorstep crime, scams and rogue traders. This is why the Liberal Democrats have promised this funding for three years, to get the posts well established."

ENDS