We need more visible policing call
In advance of the visit of the Essex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Roger Hirst, to Saffron Walden on Thursday (2nd Feb) Liberal Democrats in Uttlesford have launched a petition to bring back Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to the district, in order to improve the visibility of policing locally and to crack down on anti-social behaviour.
Melvin Caton, the Lib Dem candidate for Stansted, Newport, Clavering and the villages at the Essex County elections in May said that the local Liberal Democrats "believe that PSCOs did a good job supporting community policing in our towns and villages and protecting local residents and businesses from problems such as theft and anti-social behaviour. Since the number of PCSOs in the district was slashed concern locally about these types of crime has risen".
The petition to bring back the PSCOs was launched at a stall in Saffron Walden market on Saturday (28th Jan) when over 50 signatures were collected in less than an hour. The petition can be signed online at uttlesfordlibdems.org.uk/en/petition/bring-back-our-pcsos.
Commenting on the Essex PCC's proposal to increase the Essex Police precept by 3.9% for the next financial year Melvin Caton said "residents of Uttlesford need to get more visible policing for the increased levy. The PCC's aim to double the number of part time volunteer special constables in the county is insufficient to provide Uttlesford with the local, visible and accessible police presence they desire. The best solution is to bring back our PSCOs".
