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Petition to Save Prescot’s Police Support Officers

By on Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Merseyside’s Police & Crime Commissioner and the Merseyside Police Federation have launched a petition against budget cuts of £48 million.

The government cuts to Merseyside Police over the next four years would mean a drastic restructuring of the force, and the loss of both the mounted police and the region’s community support officers.

Prescot_police_PCSO_Mike Kokolay

In Prescot, it would mean a farewell to PCSOs like Mike Kokolay (pictured) and Michelle Hardie, who are responsible for the town centre.

Much like the local bobby of bygone days, PCSOs patrol the streets, acting as the “eyes and ears” of the police, and are often the community’s first port of call.

Other support officers under threat in Prescot and Whiston include include Mark Snow, Alan Mason, Christopher Leedam, Ozcin Mustafa, Jane Panter and Mathew Lawrence.

The petition, which needs 10,000 signatures to reach Parliament, has already amassed 9,608 signatures (as of 28 October).

It reads:

Merseyside Police has already lost 1600 people since 2010. If cuts don’t stop now, we will lose all PCSOs, the entire mounted section & 1000 more police officers & staff. Further cuts will affect the teams which fight serious & organised crime, investigate rape & sexual violence & tackle hate crime.

Commissioner Jane Kennedy said the force had already streamlined and improved efficiency as much as it could under the previous round of cuts.

“The sad reality is that our police service will not be able to provide the really effective crime prevention, community safety and victim support services it has done in recent years,” she said.

“The danger is it will become an emergency only response to 999 calls.”

Click here to sign the petition.

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