Northamptonshire short-changed 75 Police Community Support Officers (PCSO's)

7.40.56am GMT Fri 23rd Feb 2007

Northamptonshire will be 75 Police & Community Support Officers short of the Government's original target according to figures published in a Written Parliamentary Question.

"On top of a reduction of 11 full-time police officers we now learn that the Northamptonshire will also get 75 less PCSO's than planned. How can we take this Government's claim to be tough on crime seriously when they would rather spend £95,000 a day on introducing ID cards than getting more police onto our streets" said Andrew Simpson, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton North.

Labour committed to provide 24,000 Police Community Support Officers but they have now reduced this commitment to just 16,000 officers as a consequence Northamptonshire Police Authority will get 75 less.

"The introduction of PCSO's has been a welcome move but like so many things Labour promises alot and fails to deliver. Rather than spending money on more central control they should invest further into community policing" continued Andrew

Source: Written Parliamentary Question, 9th Jan 2007: Column 532W http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2007-01-09a.109680.h&s=community