A campaign headed by a public service union aims to stop 72 PCSO’s from Nottinghamshire losing their jobs.
Following proposed cuts of £2.8million, 72 Nottinghamshire Police Community Support Officer’s (PCSO’s) may see their jobs lost as a result.
A union for police and other services, Unison, has started a regional campaign to gather public support for community policing.
The campaign, which now boasts over 12,000 signatures, is being ran by Dave Ratchford, the Head of Unison Police and Criminal Justice for the East Midlands.
Mr Ratchford claims that local policing is too important to lose.
PCSO’s are the link between police and communities.
Dave Ratchford, Head of Unison Police and Criminal Justice.
“They stop crime from escalating. Rowdy behaviour soon becomes anti-social, then violent and then criminal.”
Mr Ratchford said: “All politicians agree that neighbourhood policing depends on PCSO’s.”
Dave Ratchford campaigning on the streets of Nottingham.
Dave Ratchford added: “We want Paddy Tipping, the current Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire, to reconsider his decision to cut 72 jobs.”
Mr Ratchford is pleased with the response they have had so far. He said: “Public response to this campaign has been overwhelming and humbling.
“People have come to us with their stories on how PCSO’s have helped them and made them feel safe, when facing such issues as domestic violence, racial hatred and gang activity.”
Chris Berry is the Branch Chairman for the Nottingham division of Unison. He started as a PCSO in 2002 and said: “Back then things were so much worse. Elderly people were prisoners in their own home. They couldn’t even go to the corner shop because of gangs.
“That’s all changed now and it’s definitely to do with the PCSO presence on the streets.“
PCSO, Chris Berry campaigning on the streets of Nottingham.
Dave Ratchford and Chris Berry said they will never stop campaigning against these job cuts as they hope the commissioner will change his mind.
Police and Crime Commissioner, Paddy Tipping would not comment further until after he’s had a meeting with Unison.
