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Call for government to reduce cutbacks as community support officer numbers slashed

Friday, 31 January 2025 13:20

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) numbers have been slashed across the UK.

Harrogate MP Tom Gordon has called on the Government to reverse "damaging cuts" after it was revealed that 31 Community Support Officers were removed from streets in North Yorkshire.

Mr Tom Gordon said the government should back “proper community policing” to protect local neighbourhoods.

The new workforce statistics from the Home Office showed the number of full-time equivalent PCSOs in each police force as of September 2024, compared to September 2023.

Nationally, 235 PCSOs have been cut during this period, with 150 lost in just six months since March 2024.

For North Yorkshire, the loss of 31 PCSOs represents an 18.7% reduction in their PCSO workforce – almost one-fifth fewer officers on the streets.

The new statistics come less than two months after the Government announced its new Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which included a pledge to recruit additional PCSOs.

Mr Gordon said it is “crucial” that the Government deliver on this promise and “right the wrongs” of the previous Conservative government, which slashed over 4,500 PCSOs nationwide since 2015.

He said:

“The Conservatives decimated neighbourhood policing, and it’s our communities who are paying the price.

“Taking 31 PCSOs off the streets in North Yorkshire will have had a devastating impact, leaving people feeling less safe and more vulnerable to crime and anti-social behaviour.

“PCSOs are a lifeline for communities. They’re trusted, visible and committed to protecting the places they serve. But the previous Government’s reckless cuts have left neighbourhood policing in crisis.

“The new government must right the wrongs of the previous government and uphold their promise to fix this.”

He added:

“Liberal Democrats will hold this government to account to ensure they implement the proper neighbourhood policing they have promised.

"That means more bobbies on the beat, doing what works to stop and solve crime in our communities.”

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