Meeting of Bury Council - Reporting back
At last nights full meeting of Bury Council Cllr D’Albert asked about funding for local projects and raised concerns about the switch in Police resources between PC’s and PCSO’s (Community Support Officers) and the impact on crime levels.
In response to funding the Council spokesperson confirmed that there is still funding available (although no new money), but confirmed that the matter would be considered again when the budget for 2007/8 is considered.
With regard to policing, the Council’s representative on GMP confirmed that there is no apparent correllation between crime and increases in PCSO’s. In addition he confirmed that he would be prepared to raise the issue about monitoring of the balance between the numbers of PCSO’s and PC’s and their effectiveness. Cllr D’Albert commented; “This is a matter of great concern in Prestwich since the number of local PC’s was halved and the number of PCSO’s was doubled. PCSO’s have very limited powers and criminal and anti-social residents are as aware of that as everyone else. It is imperative that there effectiveness and the overall “team” performance is monitored closely.”
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