Staffordshire’s police and crime commissioner defends controversial proposals to change PCSO shift patterns
Staffordshire’s police and crime commissioner has defended controversial proposals to change PCSO shift patterns.
Ben Adams says Staffordshire Police’s plan to reduce PCSO evening patrols and increase day shifts, with the last shifts ending at 9pm instead of 10pm, will allow the support officers to be ‘in the right places at the right times’.
The proposals have attracted criticism from union representatives and local politicians, who claim that they will leave communities exposed during the evenings, with PCSOs themselves losing pay. Labour councillors and MPs have called on the Conservative police and crime commissioner to reconsider the changes.
But Mr Adams insists the proposals are supported by evidence, and will help Staffordshire Police get the best value out of its staff. He said: “Staffordshire Police has completed a significant consultation process with PCSOs as part of a review of their shift patterns. PCSOs provide a visible presence in their communities, helping to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB), and improving local people’s quality of life.
“The proposed changes to PCSOs’ working hours maintain the number of hours currently delivered, and are based on clear evidence of what PCSOs currently do and, importantly, how the force sees this vital role developing in the future. The proposals reflect demand, allowing PCSOs to be in the right places at the right times to offer community engagement and visibility, and to tackle town centre ASB, shoplifting and other local issues at the most appropriate times.
“Delivering the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee means forces have a duty to get the best value out of all staff, which includes reviewing shift patterns, role expectations and role consistency around evidenced demand.”
Mr Adams welcomed the input from PCSOs during the consultation, saying it would help shape the role going forward.
Meanwhile, political opposition to the shift changes is continuing to grow. Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Jane Ashworth told a full council meeting that she would be raising the issue with senior officers at Staffordshire Police.
She said: “We know there is considerable anti-social behaviour after 8pm and the PCSOs are able to nip things in the bud and provide a reassuring presence. We do not want to see PCSO shifts changed to the detriment of their pay or the service they are able to deliver.”
Potteries Party leader Andy Polshaw has launched a petition calling on the council to publicly recognise the ‘essential role’ played by PSCOs and urge Staffordshire Police to withdraw the proposals. In his petition, Mr Polshaw said the changes to PCSOs’ shifts would risk ‘undermining their morale, capacity, and role in community policing’.
