Anger as force confirms 60 PCSO roles to be axed

Councillors blast lack of consultation and communication

- BY BELINDA RYAN, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

Cheshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Alison Ross

(Cheshire Police)

CHESHIRE Police is pressing ahead with controversial plans to slash the number of PCSO posts across the county by 70 per cent despite a public backlash.

Assistant chief constable Alison Ross has emailed local councils to say, following conclusion of the internal consultation, ‘the proposal to reduce the number of PCSO (police community support officer) posts from 87 to 27 will now be progressed’

She said the decision has not been taken lightly and those affected are being supported throughout the process.

The email states: “We fully recognise the valuable contribution PCSOs make to our communities.

“However, the ongoing financial pressures facing the force, combined with the changing nature of crime and public expectations, mean that we must adapt our workforce model to ensure we remain fit for the future.

“We have had a cumulative reduction in our budget of £115 million since 2008/9 and currently need to make a further £13 million in savings by 2029.”