Local MPs have raised concerns over Cheshire Police plans to axe many of its PCSOs in a bid to save £13 million.
It has emerged that the force wants to cut the number of Police Community Support Officers down from 87 to just 27.
Close sources say PCSOs have already received their notice of redundancy of employment to end on March 31 2026 and are being encouraged to apply for non-uniform posts by December 16th.
Our source said: “Previously, the information was that any PCSOs who chose to leave or retire would not be replaced but the inference was that existing PCSOs could remain in post and that there would be additional PCs recruited to maintain staffing levels. This, clearly, is no longer the case.”
Crewe and Nantwich MP Connor Naismith said today: “I share residents concern that Cheshire Police is consulting on a significant reduction in the numbers of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in our County.
“I regularly hear the demand for the restoration of community policing when I speak to my constituents, and I was proudly elected on a manifesto that promised 13,000 extra police officers, PCSOs and Special Constables on our streets.
“To that end, I was delighted when Cheshire Police was awarded £3m as part of the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. These funds equate to 48 extra officers for Cheshire.
“While I respect the operational independence of our police and the cost pressures they are facing as a result of the austerity years, I feel duty bound to challenge these proposals to ensure the democratic mandate for greater police visibility in our communities is reflected in Cheshire Police’s budget setting process.
“To that end, I have written to the Chief Constable of Cheshire Police and Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner asking what conversations have taken place with the workforce prior to these proposals being put out to consultation, and requesting a meeting to discuss the proposals further.”
Aphra Brandreth, MP for Eddisbury and Chester South, said: “I know many residents will be concerned that Cheshire Police are considering plans to reduce the number of PCSOs across the county, including here in Chester South and Eddisbury.
“PCSOs are a vital part of community policing, helping prevent crime, building trust, and keeping our communities safe.
“Our police officers and PCSOs do an incredible job under challenging circumstances, and I’m hugely grateful for their professionalism and dedication.
“I’ve written to our Chief Constable to raise concerns and seek reassurance on what this means for local policing.
“I’ve asked for details on how many PCSOs could be lost, which areas will be affected, and how Cheshire Police will maintain strong community engagement if these changes go ahead.”
Cheshire Police says it has launched an internal consultation to help save £13m over the next four years through reducing PCSOs and redistributing warranted police officers into neighbourhood policing teams.
It has blamed an “increasing funding gap” since 2010 and having to work to achieve savings.
It says they are focusing on “non-payroll expenses and scrutinising vacancy levels, in order to minimise the number of redundancies and protect front line policing and use of policing powers”.
They confirmed all of PCSOs have been notified they are at potential risk of redundancy “due to a reduction in the number of PCSOs required for the new neighbourhood policing model”.
Its internal 30-day consultation to reduce the number of PCSOs was launched on Monday (November 17th).
Chief Constable Mark Roberts said: “PCSOs make a significant contribution to our communities in Cheshire by maintaining visibility, gathering local intelligence and fostering relationships with residents in support of policing.
“Therefore, this is not a decision we take lightly, but a necessary one despite significant efforts of the force to secure appropriate levels of savings required to balance our budget this year.
“Cheshire Constabulary has faced significant financial challenges, with a cumulative reduction of £115m since 2008/09 and a further £13m in savings required by 2029. As we continue to be impacted by the legacy of austerity, we have got to look at ways of working differently.
“As part of these proposals, we have looked at re-designing our workforce to meet the challenges of modern-day policing, supported by having our highest ever number of police officers.
“These changes would put more warranted police officers in our local policing teams going forwards than we have had this year. These officers are equipped with the powers and training needed to tackle the crimes that are impacting our communities.
“The public have told us that they want more police officers on the streets tackling crime, and these proposals will support that work, whilst also supporting the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.
“All of those impacted by the proposals will be provided with the appropriate support through this difficult period, and we will explore redeployment wherever possible.”
GOOD DECISION!!!…My experience of PCSO’s is confined to largely seeing them stroll leisurely around town in pairs chatting away cozily with each other and enthusiastically window shopping whilst they’re nowhere to be seen around well known grot spot magnets where druggies and boozy yobs regularly congregate leaving behind mountains of litter and all manner of ‘Debris’ in their wake!
It’s high time indeed the uniformed cosmetic value only plastic police were dispensed with and the £Savings used to hire additional bona fide Officers who actually do ‘Enforce the Law’!