Graham Stuart MP hails local PCSO decision
Posted by Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, at 16:07, Fri 16 February 2007:
Local MP, Graham Stuart, today hailed the decision by Humberside Police Authority formally to fund and recruit up to 320 Police Community Support Officer (PCSOs).
Prior to Christmas, the Government announced that it was to cut the number of PCSOs in the East Riding. Police Minister, Tony McNulty, told Parliament that the number of PCSOs across the UK would be cut to 16,000.
Originally the Government agreed to fund 24,000. Across the East Riding, the number was to be reduced from 310 to 220.
Graham, together with the Chairman and Chief Executive of Humberside Police Authority, wrote to the Home Secretary, John Reid, requesting that he review the decision. The response from the Home Office, however, was that the decision would stand. Humberside Police Authority has now decided to go ahead and fund the new recruits out of its existing budget.
Since the Government initiative was launched in 2002, Humberside Police has received 1,760 applications from people wanting to become a PCSO. So far 157 have been recruited, with a further 395 currently in the recruitment process.
Graham said, “Local communities in the East Riding have been crying out for a visible, uniformed police presence. Too often my constituents feel abandoned by the forces of law and order, especially in isolated, rural areas.
“This decision will make a real difference. I recently spent a morning with PCSOs in Hornsea and was very impressed with the quality of the trainees and their commitment to serving local communities. This can’t have been an easy decision for Humberside Police to make but I applaud them for their commitment to delivering for local people in the region.
“Questions remain, however. Why did the Government promise funding for the PCSOs and then withdraw it? Can the Government be trusted to maintain its support for the other PCSOs who are so appreciated by local communities?”
Commenting on this message is now disabled.