Home Local News Paying More For Less – County Councillor slams cuts to PCSO funding

Paying More For Less – County Councillor slams cuts to PCSO funding

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Cllr Julie Gibson

County Cllr Julie Gibson has criticised the Tory administration at LCC for the cuts to Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) announced in the budget at the recent Full Council Budget Meeting on Thursday 8th February. The Conservative dominated council voted to remove £265,000 funding for PCSOs at last week’s meeting.

The County Council currently part funds 17 Lancashire Constabulary PCSOs, who are generally employed in Early Action roles across the County. There are 2 posts embedded in the Council’s Safe and Healthy Travel Team, managed on a day to day basis by officers of LCC, and dealing with issues of crime and disorder on the bus network, especially in relation to travel to and from school.

Cllr Gibson said: “The ruling Tory Group will be increasing Council tax by 5.99% whilst at the same cutting vital services with the result that the people of Lancashire will pay more money for less services.”

She continued “One of the areas where there will be a massive cut is the provision of PCSOs across Lancashire. PCSOs provide a vital link between the community and the police service to make sure everyone has the support they need. They are a reassuring presence working with our communities to help to tackle the blight of anti-social behaviour and they also help in the gathering of information to support the police in their job.”

Cllr Gibson added “Despite the pressure that faced the last Labour administration here at LCC we recognised the importance of this work and kept this vital funding in place as long as we could. Yet despite our calls for a rethink on this policy, the Tories at Lancashire chose to ignore us.”

She concluded: “The Conservative Party love to portray themselves as the party of Law and Order yet with cuts in our police force and cuts in PCSOs that is clearly not the case. A lot of vital work has been achieved by our PCSOs working within our communities to build safe and cohesive neighbourhoods.  It is a real shame for all of us that this work is now under threat.”

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