West Midlands Police to axe 416 PCSOs

The number will fall from 535 to 119, a reduction of 416 positions, as part of a plan to make £130m of savings by 2020.

Currently West Midlands Police has 674 PCSO positions, of which 139 are vacant.

Deputy Chief Constable David Thompson said: "From the outset of the review we were very clear that we anticipated we would have to significantly reduce the numbers of PCSOs employed by the force.

"This is a hugely regrettable but unavoidable set of proposals as we need to do all we can to ensure we are sustainable to 2020 and beyond."

The reduction in PCSOs, who have limited powers but are designed to be a 'reassuring presence' on the streets, is likely to be phased.

A formal consultation period with trade unions and staff on the proposals will now be held.

Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said the force had to make difficult choices, as 80% if its costs were on staff.

"Unfortunately it means that the first expected casualty of the Government's prolonged and continued attack on policing in the West Midlands is PCSOs.

"There is no other way with the cuts we face. We have already closed front desks and are making difficult decisions on closing police buildings in order to focus all we can on officer, PCSO and staff numbers.

"I will do all I can to ensure neighbourhood policing continues to be at the forefront of everything that West Midlands Police does, but in future it will have to be delivered with fewer staff and in a more focussed way.

"We are faced with some tough decisions but I continue to support the professional and thorough approach the Chief Constable is taking. He is doing the absolute best with the resources he has."

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Yvonne Mosquito said: "The Chief Constable has had to make difficult decisions following the huge cuts we have faced and will continue to face in the future.

"We are rated as one of the most efficient forces in the country, but even so, the cuts are such that difficult decisions like this are unavoidable and proposed cuts to much-valued PCSOs will have to take place.

"I remain committed to neighbourhood policing, although it will have to take a different form in future.

"We are doing all we can with the resources that we have to maintain officer and staff numbers. If we receive further bad news in the Comprehensive Spending Review by the government this could have further implications."