BARNSLEY'S force of neighbourhood PCSOs is set to be slashed by at least 40 per cent with remaining staff moved from their community bases in a development described 'the death of neighbourhood policing'.
There are currently 54 PCSOs in Barnsley, including four supervisors, based at police premises in the communities where they provide neighbourhood policing services traditionally performed by old fashioned 'beat bobbies'.
But they are now in a consultation period over their future, with their jobs formally 'at risk' until that process is complete.
Police commissioner Dr Alan Billings said no decisions had yet been made, but added: "We are currently at the stage of discussing options rather than making decisions. However, we are going to have to make some very difficult decisions in order to provide a police service that will meet the challenging and changing demands that we face."
** The full story is in the Barnsley Chronicle newspaper, dated August 28. **
