Lancs Police say ‘no’ again to extra powers for PCSOs

My fellow Derby Ward Conservative Councillors and I have this week responded to Lancashire Police’s latest refusal to grant extra powers for our local PCSOs.

Following a recent decision of Full Council, West Lancashire Borough Council’s Chief Executive wrote to Chief Constable Steve Finnigan, calling on him to give his frontline PCSOs extra powers.

Remember, currently 95% of discretionary powers in Lancashire are not used, whilst in neighbouring Wigan, PCSOs use more than 65% of the discretionary powers available to them.

Cllr Paul Greenall, who took the matter to Full Council in April, said: “The Chief Constable’s reply is extremely disappointing. He claims that by giving PCSOs more powers, it would cost more in wages, training and equipment. But other forces, like Greater Manchester and Kent, have done this, so why can’t Lancashire?

“The financial mess that Labour left our country in means everyone in the public and private sectors are expected to do more for less. In not giving PCSOs extra powers, Lancashire Police are limiting their impact in tackling crime at the very time when budgets are being squeezed and every penny counts. And they are not doing something that PCSOs, Unions and the public want.”

Cllr Adrian Owens said: “The Chief Constable’s refusal to grant extra powers mean that West Lancashire residents are once again suffering from a postcode lottery. How can it be fair that in some cases, like in Up Holland, residents are getting a two tier policing service depending on what side of the road they live on?

“Giving PCSOs more powers would have freed up frontline Police Officers to deal with other serious crimes. Instead, they are having to deal with relatively minor offences which could be dealt with by PCSOs if only they had the powers. It is waste of valuable resources.”

For my own part, I have spoken to many PCSOs who have indicated they would warmly welcome extra powers. They want to help keep our communities as safe as possible, but if they are not given the powers to do so, it’s almost like they’re being asked to do their job with one hand tied behind their backs.

It is a shame though West Lancs Labour Group voted against our calls for extra PCSO powers. In doing so, they have shown themselves to be soft on crime and defenders of a two tier policing system which is plainly to the detriment of West Lancashire taxpayers.

Leading councillors back my PCSO campaign

I’m delighted my Derby Ward colleagues, Cllr Adrian Owens and Cllr Paul Greenall, have backed my campaign for more powers for PCSOs.

Their endorsement is a huge boost because as Deputy Leader of West Lancashire Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Community Safety respectively, they are leading figures on the Borough Council and believe the police need to ‘get real’ about giving extra powers to PCSOs.

Adrian told the local press: “I’ve had complaints from residents who feel PCSOs are not giving taxpayer value for money. Many times, we see them walking around paired up with PCs when there is no apparent reason why they should. The police need to get real and demonstrate that PCSOs are value for money. Otherwise, given the lack of powers they have, many would question whether it is sustainable given the current economic climate.”

Paul, who in his day job works in the criminal justice system, said: “One of the positive selling points of PCSOs over the years has been the reassurance people have felt by having a uniformed presence. However, if this is to be effective and not lose its credibility in the eyes of the public, then PCSOs must be able and prepared to act in the protective service of the public. Otherwise, many people may start to wonder what is the point.

“I back our PCSOs and raised a motion in support of them at a recent Full Council meeting. This is an issue that I intend to revisit in the coming months.”

For my own part, I have spoken to many people, including those in the police, who would like extra powers to be handed down to frontline support officers.

Far from police chiefs’ claims that there is ‘no current appetite’ for extra powers, I would say there has never been a better time, and they need to think again.

Why I want our PCSOs to have more powers

I have today officially launched my campaign calling for more powers for local Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

It comes after details I obtained from Lancashire Constabulary under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that out of 22 powers available to the county’s PCSOs at the discretion of the Chief Constable, just one has been issued – the power to hand out fixed penalty notices for dog fouling.

Among the 95% of discretionary powers which have not been issued include:

• Power to issue penalty notices in respect of offences of disorder
• Power to issue fixed penalty notices for truancy
• Power to issue fixed penalty notices for excluded pupil found in a public place
• Power to issue fixed penalty notices for graffiti and fly-posting
• Power to disperse groups and remove persons under 16 to their place of residence
• Power to use reasonable force to prevent a detained person making off
• Power to remove truants from designated premises
• Power to search for alcohol and tobacco
• Power to serve closure notice for licensed premises persistently selling to children

I was prompted to look into the issue of PCSO powers as a result of working with Derby Ward residents on police enforcement issues.

I was surprised my FOI request revealed that more than 95% of discretionary powers for PCSOs are not being used. For PCSOs to be
as effective as possible, they should have as full a range of powers as possible at their disposal.

I wrote to the Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary, urging him to review this and see if PCSOs can be given more of the discretionary powers which are within his gift to grant. The response I received stated there is ‘no current appetite’ to extend the use of discretionary
powers.

Every organisation is now being asked to do more for less to help pay off the national debt. As a result, taxpayers have a right to ensure they are getting even more bang for their hard-earned buck.

With that in mind, I urge the Chief Constable to think again; give our local PCSOs extra powers and help them to make our communities as safe as possible.