LONDONASSEMBLYLABOUR press office: 020 7983 4952news release
03.07 2012
For immediate release
Tower Hamlets missing over 20% of local Police Community Support Officers with a quarter missing across London
Tower Hamlets Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) are currently missing 20.4% of their Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). Across London local SNTs are missing more than a quarter of their PCSOs; In addition, the number of police sergeants dedicated to each SNT are below planned numbers.
SNTs, brought in to act as dedicated local policing units, have already been cut down from the original ‘1+2+3 structure’ with one sergeant, two constables and three PCSOs in each team. Mayor Boris Johnson reduced the number of sergeants by 150 with a further 150 to go.
In Tower Hamlets there are 11 fewer PCSOs than planned; across London SNTs are trying to operate with 567 fewer PCSOs than planned.
Local London Assembly member, John Biggs said “Not only has the Mayor revised down the targets for SNTs, but now he is failing to follow through on his pledge to meet even the lower target he set.”
“In Tower Hamlets SNTs are operating 20% below target with 11 PCSOs still missing.”
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