Cash lets bobbies keep with the beat

MONEY has been pledged to cover the cost of four Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) who patrol villages in South Cambridgeshire.

Fears that the PCSOs could be out of a job, leaving a gap in the policing of Gamlingay, Sawston, Cambourne and Bar Hill, came to a head when South Cambridgeshire District Council warned it could not afford to renew funding because of Government capping of its budget.

The council has already funded three-and-a-half posts for two years, paying a total of £179,501, but the money is set to run out next October for the Sawston and Gamlingay officers, and in February 2007 for the Bar Hill and Cambourne posts.

Council leader Sebastian Kindersley said the budget cuts, which will slash funding in many areas, hitting staff at the council's headquarters and grants for the arts in South Cambridgeshire among other things, was unavoidable.

He said: "Obviously these are not going to be popular, but I think residents will understand we don't have a choice - it's as simple as that."

But now the Cambridgeshire Police Authority has stepped in, pledging to pick up the bill for the PCSOs left without funding, and promising that villages will not be left without officers.

A spokeswoman for the authority said: "All local authorities, including the police, will shortly be embarking on a period of discussions with a view to setting the budget for the forthcoming year.

"Funding levels for the year ahead and any resulting impact will be discussed fully by the authority and constabulary during the coming weeks.

"The Cambridgeshire Police Authority is fully committed to and supportive of the role PCSOs carry out in our communities.

"They are an extremely valuable part of the wider policing family, providing that reassurance and visibility on the streets of Cambridgeshire."

The spokeswoman added: "We are fully committed to ensuring that there are more, not fewer, PCSOs available to provide this valuable support across Cambridgeshire."

As reported in the Cambridge Evening News