Community policing faces challenges as 60 officers are removed from Avon & Somerset streets, raising safety concerns.
Avon: The government is being urged to restore community policing. Sixty community support officers (PCSOs) were taken off the streets in a year.
Thornbury and Yate MP Claire Young is calling for action. Home Office statistics show a drop in full-time equivalent PCSOs from September 2023 to September 2024.
Across England and Wales, 235 PCSOs were cut. In the South West, 77 PCSOs were removed in just 12 months. Avon & Somerset Police lost 60 officers, a 19.1% reduction.
This news comes shortly after the Government announced a new Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. This included a promise to recruit more PCSOs.
The Liberal Democrats pointed out that PCSO numbers were slashed under the previous Conservative government. They want a return to community policing, where officers are visible and trusted.
Claire Young said the Conservatives cut vital community support officers. These officers help keep communities safe.
She noted that the new Labour government promised to fix this issue. However, recent figures show little has changed, leaving residents worried about crime.
People in Yate and Chipping Sodbury are especially concerned about rising crime. They want more officers on the streets to deter criminals.
The Liberal Democrats will hold the government accountable for proper neighbourhood policing. This means getting more officers back on the beat and reducing paperwork.
An Avon & Somerset Police spokesperson said PCSOs are crucial for community policing. They engage with communities and help keep people safe.
They paused recruitment of new PCSOs to manage budget cuts. This decision was made due to ongoing funding challenges.
Reducing PCSO numbers was a tough choice. They had protected these numbers for a long time but had to align with national averages.
They recently restarted recruitment on January 8, 2025. New officers will join in the summer to maintain their numbers.
The police are committed to community policing and maintaining a presence. They will continue to hold ‘Talk to Us’ sessions for residents to voice concerns.
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