Police Commissioner Paddy Tipping has announced today that 72 Nottinghamshire Police Community Support Officers are to be cut by Christmas.
The announcement came today after PCSO’s being the subject of a publci campaign run by the trade union, Unison.
The union say they are shocked by the news as they have had no communication from the commissioner since handing over a petition of 21,152 signatures on the 30th July.
The petition called for a public referendum on a £5 a year increase in Council Tax to fund the continuing neighbourhood policing work done by PCSO’s.
Unison Regional Head of Police and Justice, Dave Ratchford said: “We are shocked and dismayed at this news. We are shocked that the decision comes after 21,000 concerned citizens asked for a referendum.”
“We are dismayed at what this means for neighbourhoods across Nottinghamshire as the Police retreat from community policing.”
-Dave Ratchford, Unison Regional head of Police and Justice
The proposed job losses are a response to Government funding cuts.
Paddy Tipping, Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner said:
“Police and Crime Commissioners, working with Chief Constables, have made significant savings since 2012 and we know that more will be needed.”
“Crime has changed and become more complicated and more global, with further resources needed for areas like cybercrime and counter terrorism. The police service cannot respond to these challenges alone, and other sectors and industries will have to work with us to share the responsibility to respond to changes in crime.”
“With more savings needed there will need to be a fundamental rethink on how we are organised, the service we offer the public, and the roles and skills needed.”
-Paddy Tipping, Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner
The observation has come following analysis of possible budget reductions for the next five years and Police and Crime Commissioners acknowledge that budget reductions are important in reducing public spending and have made savings and improvements in productivity while still keeping local communities safe.
