Essex’s policing chief hints at reversing cuts to PCSOs after new funding.
Essex: The policing chief in Essex is excited about new funding. The government is putting in £100 million for neighborhood policing. This comes after plans to cut police community support officers (PCSOs) and staff in the area.
Previously, Essex Police planned to cut 99 PCSOs and about 60 staff due to a £5.3 million funding gap. Many police forces were worried about their budgets and potential cuts to officer numbers.
Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson acknowledged the funding challenges. Roger Hirst, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said the new funding will help address Essex Police’s shortfall.
The extra money is set for the next financial year. Each police force will outline how they will use it to boost patrols by early spring. Chief Constable Gavin Stephens welcomed the investment, emphasizing its importance for community engagement.
Hirst mentioned that the force will revise its proposals for 2025/26 after this funding news. He expressed hope for a long-term funding solution to support police work in Essex and beyond.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called this investment a “major turning point” for policing. She stated that doubling the neighborhood funding to £200 million will help put more officers and PCSOs where they are needed most.
Cooper emphasized that every neighborhood deserves dedicated officers who understand local concerns. This funding aims to prevent crime and protect communities, marking a step towards restoring local policing.
