Borough’s remaining 44 PCSO’s face the axe

Shocking plans to axe all of London’s PCSOs are being considered by Met Police, a possible cull of 47 officers from the Bexley borough.

The proposal comes at a time when the force is planning savings of at least £800m by 2019.

The Metropolitan Police Service is considering cutting all 1,017 PCSOs in London – including Newham’s 40 – in a bid to save money.

However, not all PCSOs will go.

“Theresa May suggests that we recruit more volunteers but that is already happening without her suggesting it. We greatly value the volunteers who inspect custody facilities and those who volunteer as special constables and in a variety of other roles”. They have been an integral part of the Safer Neighbourhoods model from the start.

And he added: “Camden has been funding additional police officers in Camden Town since 2013 and we will continue to support the police in the excellent work that they do, but we are increasingly concerned that further cuts mean they will operate in ever more hard circumstances”.

At the meeting the Met will consider options including cutting the number of PCSOs in London to 629, or getting rid of them all.

“I have repeatedly pointed out that there is a need to maintain a front line visible police presence on the streets as this provides both a deterrent and a reassurance to our communities”.

Frank Berry, chairman of the Sutton Federation of Tenants and Residents’ Associations, said: “The community officers do a great job and for a lot less than it would cost for regular police officers”.

The cuts could see neighbourhood policing teams reduced to just a single police officer for each ward despite having six officers – including three PCSOs, two PCs and a sergeant -only three years ago.

Speaking out against the cuts, London Assembly Member for Enfield & Haringey, Joanne McCartney AM said: “This is the clearest sign yet that Government cuts are decimating London’s police force”.

They have no duty to intervene and can withdraw from high risk situations.