Partnership secures four PCSO posts in Telford & Wrekin

Four Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) posts that faced being cut have been saved thanks to a new agreement between Telford & Wrekin Council, and five town councils in the borough.

The Wrekin Housing Trust. have also agreed to continue to fund one further post, bringing the total number of partnership posts to five. The office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has also contributed to this partnership model.

The four posts funded by Telford & Wrekin Council were due to end in April as part of the Council's budget as it strives to find £30m of cuts by 2019.

But now the four posts will be saved with the town councils taking responsibility for the posts and their longer term funding, following a transitional funding agreement between the partners. The Wrekin Housing Trust funded post will complement this arrangement, working throughout Telford.

Great Dawley, Madeley and Oakengates will have a dedicated PCSO who will work to tackle local policing and community safety priorities, set with the local council. Newport and Wellington town councils meanwhile have agreed to share one post.

The PCSOs will work to address community safety issues in these areas, working with partners and the community to address other concerns through an Integrated Community Management model (ICM).

The PCSOs will be on hand to help tackle a range of issues set with their town council where PCSOs have delegated powers to deal with fly-tipping, street drinking, anti-social behaviour, litter and illegal parking.

This follows a partnership agreement between Telford & Wrekin Council, West Mercia Police, The Wrekin Housing Trust and each town council.

Councillor Lee Carter, cabinet member for finance, said "These five posts are very important in helping to keep the borough safe and tackle issues that really matter to people.

"It’s great to see that these areas have committed to work with us and find a solution that can allow these posts, which the Council could no longer afford to continue to fund long-term due to budget cuts, and the very valuable support they provide to continue "

Superintendent Tom Harding, Telford Policing Commander, said:" We will be working with each town council to identify key local issues for the PCSO and partners to focus on.

“We believe it will be an important addition to our integrated community management approach of bringing a range of local people and resources together to tackle the issues that matter most to these communities."

"Having a dedicated individual conducting and co-ordinating partnership activity on an area will help build real confidence, reassurance and trust in that area."