Essex policing boss hints at PCSOs U-turn after Home Office funding boost

Police officers take part in a passing out parade in Essex
-Credit:Essex Police


Essex's policing boss has welcomed a nationwide injection of £100m cash and hinted at a possible U-turn after previously announcing plans to scrap police community support officers (PCSOs) and several police staff in the county. The Government will invest an extra £100m into neighbourhood policing, adding to £100m announced in December, to put 13,000 more cops on the streets by 2029.

Forces had warned of difficult times ahead with current funding levels and some said they would have to make cuts to officer numbers. Earlier this week Essex Police outlined proposals to cut 99 PCSOs and around 60 police staff due to a funding shortfall of £5.3m.

Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said she was “not pretending” that police forces were not facing funding challenges. Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst said the funding will go some way to bridging the shortfall identified by Essex Police.

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The new investment for more officers is scheduled for the next financial year and each police force will set out plans to use it to increase patrols by early spring. Reacting to the cash boost on Friday (31 January), National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) chairman Chief Constable Gavin Stephens welcomed the investment in neighbourhood policing, saying it is a “vital part of how we engage with our communities, building trust and confidence locally”.

"We’ve lobbied hard for this funding to be increased through the consultation period. The decision we announced earlier this week has created concern and has resulted in change," Roger Hirst said.

Mr Hirst has also said the force will revise their proposals for 2025/26 after receiving news of the new funding. He said: "We look forward to working with the Home Office and wider partners as we establish a long-term funding settlement which will allow police officers to continue their vital work in communities across Essex and the UK.

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"Making hard-working PCSOs and police staff redundant was always going to be the hardest decision we would ever have to make. Our aim has always been to maintain the great progress we have made since 2016 in building Essex Police to be the biggest and strongest it has ever been. On the back of today's announcement, we will revise our proposals for 2025/26."

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper -Credit:PA

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the investment in neighbourhood policing marked a “major turning point” for policing. She added: "By doubling extra neighbourhood funding to £200 million, we are giving forces across the country what they need to put more officers and PCSOs where they’re needed most – on our streets and in our town centres.

"Every neighbourhood deserves dedicated officers who know their patch, understand residents’ concerns and can tackle problems before they escalate. This investment, alongside new powers we are bringing into law, will help prevent crime and protect our communities, which is at the heart of our Plan for Change. Restoring local policing will not happen overnight, but this funding boost will get more officers into our town centres and rural areas."