Peterborough MPs differ in reaction to police cuts

Cambridgeshire police announced today (Wednesday) it was halving its number of PCSOs (police community support officers) from 80 to 40 and scrapping its community safety team, resulting in a loss of six community safety officers.

Chief Constable Nick Dean acknowledged that “the timing of this announcement in the current climate is not good,” but added: “In order to meet budget deficit demands there is no alternative.”

The proposals, which were due to be announced in April but were delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic, will save the force £1.7 million a year as it tackles a £6.6 million deficit (including a planned increase in the police council tax precept).

The decision to halve the number of PCSOs - who will now cover all 28 neighbourhoods in the county - was one of several changes announced by Cambridgeshire police on Wednesday.

It also revealed that it was scrapping its community safety team, resulting in a loss of six community safety officers, while nine enquiry offices - including ones in March, Wisbech and Huntingdon - will be closed.

Instead, residents will have to make an appointment to speak to an officer which will lead to six more job losses, although the office at Thorpe Wood Police Station in Peterborough will continue to provide seven day a week provision from 8am to 8pm.

The revamp will also result in a “remodelling of the citizens in policing team” which will include the removal of the vacant head of citizens in policing and special constabulary post, while both the north and south of the county will see the development of Area Command Cells and Neighbourhood Support Teams through a reorganisation of existing resources.

Mr Dean said the command cells will focus on intelligence while the support teams will work with communities on issues ranging from serious organised crime to community issues.

Moreover, Continuous Professional Development Units (CPDUs) will support officers with “ongoing operational competence and training” with the introduction of PEQF (Policing Education Qualifications Framework) as an entry route into policing.

The proposals, which were due to be announced in April but were delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic, will save the force £1.7 million a year, although a budget gap of £1.8 million remains.

Mr Dean insisted that no police stations will close and that many of those which will lose their enquiry offices have been operating a reduced service due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Reacting to the new announcement, MP for Peterborough Paul Bristow said: “There are 75 extra officers in our neighbourhoods and another 82 are being recruited. That’s 157 extra PCs. 

“Yet somehow the police have made this a story about 40 fewer PCSOs who don’t have a warrant or half the training. Having more proper PCs instead is an unashamedly good thing. “Cambridgeshire police is getting larger, not smaller, as part of the Government’s drive to recruit 20,000 new officers across the country. 

“I’m sure there will be concerns about enquiry desks closing, but these aren’t in my Peterborough constituency. Overall, the changes are positive and sensible.”

However, concerned North West Cambridgeshire MP Shailesh Vara said: “Neighbourhood policing plays a very critical role in our communities so this is disappointing news.

“I will be taking this up with the chief constable when I next see him to see if there are any other areas where savings can be made, especially in terms of sharing backroom resources with neighbouring police forces.”