The Welsh Government have announced additional funding to provide a
100 Police Community Support Officers to tackle crime and support
communities.
The First Minister and the Minister for Social Justice have
announced an extra £3.7m for additional PCSOs across Wales,
bringing the total budget to over £22m.
The additional 100 PCSOs brings the total funded by the Welsh
Government to 600.
The funding shows the importance the Welsh Government places on
the values of community, equality and social justice. This will
be another step forward to ensure strong and safe communities
with resources in place to cut crime.
Highlighting the important role PCSOs play, First Minister
said:
“PCSOs have provided a vital link between neighbourhoods and
police services and are recognised for their willingness to
become part of their communities.
“They have played a critical role in responding to the pandemic
and I want to pay tribute to their unwavering commitment.
“The PCSOs have continued to step up, providing support and
developing innovative ways to keep their communities safe.”
Police Community Support Officers work with police officers and
share some, but not all of their powers. They provide an
important link between their communities and the police service
to ensure people have the support they need
Some of the things PCSOs support frontline policing with are
stopping speeding outside our schools, reporting vandalism or
reducing anti-social behaviour.
Minister for Social Justice said:
“Communities right across Wales have appreciated the vitally
important difference that PCSOs make to their neighbourhoods.
It’s clear to see that they’ve fast become part of their
communities and have ensured that when there is a problem,
individuals know their local PCSOs have their best interests at
heart.
Their work to identify and understand local issues has enabled a
focus on early intervention, ensuring that local support services
can link up and deliver for our communities.
I’m delighted that we’re hitting the ground running on delivering
our pledge to recruit 100 more PCSO’s in Wales today,
demonstrating our commitment to keeping our communities and
neighbourhoods in Wales safe.”
South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner said:
“PCSOs strive to make our communities safer and stronger by the
part the play and their visible presence helps to inspire
confidence. That is why I am absolutely delighted that Welsh
Government ministers have moved so quickly to implement their
manifesto commitment to 100 additional PCSOs across Wales, in
addition to the 500 they already fund.
Their financial commitment enables the four Welsh forces to press
ahead with the additional recruitment and to restore and enhance
this important frontline resource in each of our communities at
the same time as tackling the competing demands of tackling
violent crime, drugs-related exploitation, domestic violence and
abuse and internet-enabled crime.
Just as in Wales we worked together to combat Covid-19 we will
now work together to protect vulnerable people from the threats
and harm that are faced by every community.”
