The Welsh Government have announced additional funding to provide a 100 Police Community Support Officers to tackle crime and support communities.
The First Minister Mark Drakeford and the Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt have announced an extra £3.7m for additional PCSOs across Wales, bringing the total budget to over £22m.
The additional 100 PCSOs brings the total funded by the Welsh Government to 600.
The funding shows the importance the Welsh Government places on the values of community, equality and social justice. This will be another step forward to ensure strong and safe communities with resources in place to cut crime.
Highlighting the important role PCSOs play, First Minister Mark Drakeford said:
“PCSOs have provided a vital link between neighbourhoods and police services and are recognised for their willingness to become part of their communities.
“They have played a critical role in responding to the pandemic and I want to pay tribute to their unwavering commitment.
“The PCSOs have continued to step up, providing support and developing innovative ways to keep their communities safe.”
Police Community Support Officers work with police officers and share some, but not all of their powers. They provide an important link between their communities and the police service to ensure people have the support they need
Some of the things PCSOs support frontline policing with are stopping speeding outside our schools, reporting vandalism or reducing anti-social behaviour.
Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt said:
“Communities right across Wales have appreciated the vitally important difference that PCSOs make to their neighbourhoods. It’s clear to see that they’ve fast become part of their communities and have ensured that when there is a problem, individuals know their local PCSOs have their best interests at heart.
Their work to identify and understand local issues has enabled a focus on early intervention, ensuring that local support services can link up and deliver for our communities.
I’m delighted that we’re hitting the ground running on delivering our pledge to recruit 100 more PCSO’s in Wales today, demonstrating our commitment to keeping our communities and neighbourhoods in Wales safe.”
South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael said:
“PCSOs strive to make our communities safer and stronger by the part the play and their visible presence helps to inspire confidence. That is why I am absolutely delighted that Welsh Government ministers have moved so quickly to implement their manifesto commitment to 100 additional PCSOs across Wales, in addition to the 500 they already fund.
Their financial commitment enables the four Welsh forces to press ahead with the additional recruitment and to restore and enhance this important frontline resource in each of our communities at the same time as tackling the competing demands of tackling violent crime, drugs-related exploitation, domestic violence and abuse and internet-enabled crime.
Just as in Wales we worked together to combat Covid-19 we will now work together to protect vulnerable people from the threats and harm that are faced by every community.”
