Debate On Loss Of Police Support Officers

As revealed in detail last month on 4ni.co.uk, Northern Ireland won't be benefiting from 'Blunkett's Bobbies' - as the UK-wide initiative that puts uniformed support officers onto the streets to help regular police is known.

It was reported here on 1 April that the NI Policing Board's Comprehensive Spending Review to 'balance the budget' for 2008/2009 needed to address 'remaining shortfalls totalling £12.5m', and the Board "reluctantly agreed" that funding for the promised Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) was no longer available.

Now, NI Policing Board member, Dolores Kelly, the SDLP MLA, has insisted the 'news' would have a "severe impact on the delivery of first-class policing".

"There is a real need for the Policing Board and the PSNI to make clear that PCSOs are an integral part of the future of policing in the north, not an afterthought, or an optional add-on," she said.

"However, there should be no need to bring another business case forward to the British Government when the argument has already been won and the project has received approval.

"It does not seem proper for the government on one hand to approve the project, but yet, at the same time, fail to allocate adequate funding to make the scheme a reality."

In a statement, the Northern Ireland Office said the PSNI would spend £1.1bn this year and the next two years.

"Whilst this is a generous settlement when compared to other UK Police Forces, priorities will still need to be determined by the Policing Board on the most effective way to deploy these resources," it said.

In February 2006, the Policing Board agreed in principle to the recruitment of PCSOs.

Their key role is to provide a high visibility and reassurance to communities.

At that stage it was thought the necessary legislation would be in place by March 2007.

A senior police officer also 'launched ' the concept at the time, which has since then been put further and further back, before finally being shelved in April.

See: Community Support Officers Scrapped

See: PSNI to recruit 1,500 part-time officers

(BMcC)