Met delays decision on axing 1,000 PCSOs
The fate of London's PCSOs is still to be decided (Pic credit: PA/Rui Vieira) - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Hundreds of police community support officers have received a stay of execution as Met Police bosses pushed back a decision on their fate until the end of the year.
Andrew Dismore has hit out at the plans - Credit: Archant
The delay is thought to be a response to vast public opposition to the plan which would dramatically alter neighbourhood policing in London.
Scotland Yard was due to examine the drastic proposals to axe up to 1,000 PCSOs at a management board meeting last Tuesday.
The move was being considered to help meet government spending cuts of up to £800 million over the next four years.
But talks have now been rescheduled for December.
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Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore welcomed the delay, but warned that the future of local policing in the capital still remained at “grave risk.”
“I welcome that the Met is taking the time to listen to the vast public opposition to the proposed cuts to all PCSOs in London. As the Commissioner has warned, there is no doubt the spending cuts being made by Government could have a terrible impact on London’s police force.”
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The options due to be considered by the Metropolitan Police Management Board were to retain 629 dedicated ward PCSO posts or remove all Neighbourhood PCSO posts.
Speaking at the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee last week, Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe said “we’ve got options on how to make savings but with that scale of savings none of them are attractive.”
