Council withdraws funding for PCSO

ELY city councillors have decided to pull the plug on their Police Community Support Officer funding after June. The decision means that they will no longer pay their £20,000 contribution for PCSO Alun Bradshaw. Instead the total £27,000 cost will be met

ELY city councillors have decided to pull the plug on their Police Community Support Officer funding after June.

The decision means that they will no longer pay their £20,000 contribution for PCSO Alun Bradshaw.

Instead the total £27,000 cost will be met by the Home Office and the council's cash will be channelled into other city projects.

Ely mayor, cllr John Ison said: "We put forward the money initially because we wanted to ensure that Ely had a PCSO. But there were reservations among councillors who felt that the police precept was high enough to cover the cost.

"We felt, however, that the PCSOs were doing a particularly good job combating anti-social behaviour which is one of Ely's biggest problems."

By the end of March Ely Police hope to have 15 PCSOs working throughout East Cambridgeshire.

Ely Police North Neighbourhood Beat sergeant Alan Savill said: "Ely City Council's contribution helped to get us up and running and now the Home Office will provide the funding for PCSO Bradshaw. The public will not see any change in service."

Cllr Ison added: "We are extremely pleased with the work the PCSO has done and we have been pleased to work with him and Sgt Savill. We hope to continue that work even though we are not providing the funding."

Ely city councillors donated cash to provide PCSO Bradshaw with a new bike to be used on his duties through the district.