INCREASED FUNDING FOR POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICERS

Liberal Democrats in Uttlesford have welcomed a decision to fund additional Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) from the district council's budget for 2018/19. They consider it is a vindication of their campaign for more visible policing. Community Safety rated highly in the district council's public consultation for the budget year that begins in April. With rising crime rates, the Lib Dems say that the council's decision last year to budget for only two PCSOs was not enough.

Cllr Alan Dean, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group said "I am very pleased that the council has recognised Liberal Democrat concerns and has acted upon them. We gained a commitment from the controlling group at last week's budget meeting that every effort will be made to stretch the new budget to at least double the number of PCSOs in the district".

The extra cash in Uttlesford's budget needs to be matched by money from town and parish councils to pay for the employment of PCSOs to serve groups of parishes. Stansted Parish Council, working with Elsenham and Henham Parish Councils, has made an application. Saffron Walden Town Council has also applied.

Cllr Maureen Caton, Chairman of Stansted Parish Council, said "I welcome this partnership with Uttlesford. Working with Elsenham and Henham gives a great opportunity for providing a badly needed police resource in our villages."

Liberal Democrat councillors are confident that the deployment of an additional police community support officer in the Stansted area will be successful. They are giving their backing for parishes around Saffron Walden, Dunmow and Thaxted to put in joint proposals for their parts of the district.