Police Community Support Officers jobs in Essex have been saved after pressure was put on the Labour Government by Brentwood and Ongar’s Member of Parliament, Alex Burghart, and Essex Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst.
Last week Roger and Essex Police Chief Constable, BJ Harrington, made it clear poor funding from the Government, which did not cover the 4.7% pay rise Ministers had promised police officers, meant all 99 PCSOs jobs, and those of some police staff, would have to go.
However, Alex Burghart MP worked closely with Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Philp, to show police jobs were being lost across the country, the Labour Government bowed to the pressure and offered a final police funding settlement which added £100million for policing nationwide.
Alex Burghart said: “I was very worried indeed last week when it became clear jobs were going to be lost as a direct result of Government underfunding of policing. I am pleased to have been able to bring this to attention of Ministers, with my Shadow Cabinet colleague, Chris Philp, and make the Government realise how important having visible policing is to local communities.
“Police Community Support Officers do an excellent job across Essex in creating grass roots relationships with communities, businesses and victims of crime, and I am very pleased their jobs are now safer than it first seemed.”
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “As PFCC for Essex and the joint national finance lead of all police and crime commissioners in the UK, we appreciate the government has listened to concerns from police forces across the UK and we welcome the announcement of additional funding.
“We’ve lobbied hard for this funding to be increased through the consultation period. The decision we announced earlier this week has created concern and has resulted in change. This has been a difficult few days, we recognise the impact our announcement has had on people’s lives.
“We look forward to working with the Home Office and wider partners as we establish a long-term funding settlement which will allow police officers to continue their vital work in communities across Essex and the UK.”
Alex Burghart holds regular meetings with the local policing team covering Brentwood and Ongar, and is very pleased their hard work and dedication will continue to be recognised.
