Police Community Support Officers numbers cut by more than half, new data shows

Findings come as Devon and Cornwall Police rated inadequate in three areas

The number of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) across Devon and Cornwall has fallen by 57.8% since 2015.

Analysis of new Home Office statistics commissioned by the Liberal Democrats from the House of Commons Library shows massive cuts to PCSOs in Devon and Cornwall, just as Devon and Cornwall Police has been rated inadequate in three areas by the police inspectorate.

A total of 146 full-time equivalent PCSOs were employed in Devon and Cornwall as of September 2022. This is in stark contrast to the 346 that were employed in March 2015 - meaning there have been 200 PCSOs cut from Devon and Cornwall Police in that time.

The Liberal Democrats have accused the Conservative Government of letting communities down by taking Police Community Support Officers off the streets, leading to more crimes going unsolved and victims going without justice.

Although the same trend is being seen up and down the country, with the number of active PCSOs falling by an average of 33% in England and Wales since 2015, the cuts in Devon and Cornwall have been well above average. Nationally, England and Wales have lost 4,068 PCSOs since 2015.

Responding to the figures, Chris Bright, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Great Torrington, said:

'These shocking figures prove that the Conservatives are yet again failing our area. Police Community Support Officers, like the ones we are lucky enough to have in Torrington, do a great job. They are visible on the streets, building relationships - and trust - with local people.'

'No wonder Devon and Cornwall Police have been told they are failing in key areas like responding to the public and recording crimes accurately. The Government should be empowering them to do their job, not slashing their numbers into oblivion.'

'Liberal Democrats are calling for a return to proper community policing, where officers are visible, trusted and known personally to local people. We are campaigning for communities where people are safe - and feel safe, too.'

Source: Home Office, Police Workforce: England and Wales, Jan 2023, Table H7 (various editions) and Table 3. Strength figures include those staff on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave.

Devon and Cornwall Police rated inadequate in several areas, BBC website accessed 4/2/23: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-64487255