The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Lincolnshire Police is set to lose almost half its PCSOs to keep its budget balanced.
Chief Constable Chris Haward outlined the changes which included ‘difficult decisions’ being taken.
The force’s current cohort of 91 PCSOs will be cut to 50 and its Council Tax precept rises by £14.94.
“We had planned our budget around a number of possible options, and one was that the precept was approved at this level which helps immensely in being able to maintain a good and effective level of policing here in Lincolnshire,” he said.
“The very difficult decisions we have had to make regarding reducing our PCSO model from 91 to 50 do not mean that we are not able to keep people safe. It’s correct that we have had to make savings, but it’s also correct that we have balanced that potential risk by using our budget smartly,” he added.
The force is continuing to lobby government for a better funding settlement.
“Our funding position here in Lincolnshire is not and has not been favourable for some years, and especially when you look to some of our neighbouring forces who are a similar size and have similar issues to tackle. Some of those areas are able to recruit in areas without the need to reduce in others.
“We remain hopeful that the government’s pledge to review the police funding formula will take place as planned and will deliver us a fairer settlement,” he added.
The rise in precept was proposed by Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones and approved by the Police and Crime Panel.
The force is maintaining target numbers of 1,186 and there will be nine new staff in the Safeguarding Hub.
An extra 12 detectives for the unit to protect vulnerable people along with another 15 call takers.
More officers will be deployed in peak demand period to improve incident response times.
The budget will also fund investment in the Serious Collisions Investigation Unit to improve road safety in the county.
