MP Tackles Chief Constable on Local Policy

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 25th Apr 2006

Local MP, Matthew Taylor, has met the Chief Constable, Maria Wallis, to urge her to maintain local community policing. The meeting follows news that the introduction of several hundred Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) could mean fewer actual Police Officers acting as beat officers.

Mr Taylor said that whilst he welcomed extra PCSO support to the police, he did not want professional Police Officers stretched over even larger rural communities, as the number of beat managers is reduced.

Commenting, Matthew Taylor MP said:

"I have been out on patrol with Police Officers on their community beats, and they do a fantastic job. They, and the communities they serve as Police Officers, will welcome the support of PCSOs that have been hugely successful in places like Truro. However, more PCSOs should not be at the cost of fewer actual Police Officers active in the local community."