1,000 back petition against West Midlands PCSO cuts

Nik Luzaic from Great Wyrley set up the petition on change.org which has drawn attention to the nationwide campaign to save PCSOs in other areas.

It was revealed last week by West Midlands Police that the number of PCSOs would fall from 535 to 119, a reduction of 416 positions, as part of a plan to make £130 million of savings by 2020.

No announcement has yet been made on when the first round of cuts will take place.

Stated on the online petition called 'Cancel the plan to cut PCSOs in the West Midlands', Mr Luzaic writes:

"PCSOs play an integral role in community policing and are the 'eyes and ears on the street' for the police service.

"In recent times, the West Midlands has seen many cuts to the police service - including front desks of local police stations being closed - forcing the police service to become stretched even further.

"Neighbourhood policing is a key part of what PCSOs do, providing a service which helps to make the streets safer for all sections of society by forging links between the police and communities, such as creating a visible presence on the streets and creating a deterrent to criminals and reducing fear of crime for vulnerable people through their presence."

He adds: "I therefore call upon all sections of the public to sign this petition to help protect our police force and to help protect our communities."

Almost 500 signatures were gained on the petition within four days of publishing, with that number then doubling in just over two days.

Comments have been posted on the petition branding the proposed cuts as 'destruction' with concerns about the increased threat to terrorism with less PCSOs on the beat.

One supporter, Claire Wright, from Oldbury, said: "I don't feel safe in this country anymore not even in my own home if anything we need more PCSOs and police - not less."

However, Walsall councillor Doug James said that he thought West Midlands Police would 'rise to the challenge' and that PCSOs were a 'controversial addition' in the first place.

He added: "With the reductions in PCSOs our police will be able to refocus their neighbourhood police approach.

"I am convinced that our police will rise to the challenge."