Julian Knight MP is has welcomed the news that Solihull will not suffer severe cuts in the number of Police Community Support Officers serving our community.
David Jamieson, the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, announced that 416 PCSO positions would be cut due to anticipated reductions in his budget, prompting an outcry from residents.
In response to their concerns Julian took up the cause of police funding in Westminster, calling meetings, speaking in debates, and putting his case directly to the Home Office during the run up to the Autumn Statement.
In the event, the Government announced that it was protecting the police budget, and Mr Jamieson has cancelled his cuts.
Commenting on the news, Julian said:
“I’m proud to support a Government that how important properly-funded community policing is. PSCOs do a fantastic job, and it would have been unthinkable to lose so many.
“They liaise very well with my office, helping to keep me up to date with local concerns, and I’m always seeing them out and about in our town. George Osborne’s decision to sustain police funding is the right one, and will come as a relief to local residents.
“It is a shame that Labour’s Police and Crime Commissioner couldn’t wait until he knew what his budget would be before announcing substantial cuts to services – especially when he is sitting on £100 million of reserve funds.”