'PCSOs off-shift at 8pm threatens public safety'

West Mercia Police's PCSOs now start work earlier in the day and finish at 20:00, leaving none on-shift later in the evening

A decision to change police community support officers' (PCSO) working hours in Herefordshire has created a "threat to public safety", councillors say.

Since September, PCSOs in the county have finished at 20:00, with West Mercia Police saying the move will save around £350,000 per year.

However, the Liberal Democrat group on Herefordshire Council say officers are "vital" in rural areas, and want the force to reverse the decision on their working hours.

Police and crime commissioner John Campion has argued the change has increased force resources during the early-evening, when anti-social behaviour tends to be at its peak, and it won't be reversed.

A full council meeting is taking place on Friday, where a Notice of Motion calling for the move to be reversed is set to be voted on.

The motion says the changes are a "serious threat to public safety and community confidence" in Hereford, as well as market towns in the county.

Councillor Ed O'Driscoll says the changes need to be reconsidered in Ross-on-Wye

Ed O'Driscoll, Lib Dem councillor for Ross East, said: "I'm really disappointed by what's been decided.

"It's a 'one size fits all', they're not looking at the situation in market towns like Ross-on-Wye.

"We don't have a huge police presence - PSCOs are a really important part of law and order across the town.

"Maybe we need to ask those responsible for anti-social behaviour to restrict it to office hours in the future?"

The motion also urges the two MPs in Herefordshire to raise the matter in parliament.

What is the view in Ross-on-Wye?

The BBC went to Ross-on-Wye to talk to traders and the public about the changes - and found mixed views.

George Kotzias, who runs Plates & Shakers cocktail bar, said: "I don't think it's helping local businesses stay safe.

"There's a lot of small businesses in the town - we do want to see PCSOs out during the evenings."

And Tracey Roberts, at Vera Tucci clothing store, said she did not think the change was wise.

"The PCSOs help the pubs, they help people walking about - for us it would be nice to leave our shutters up at night so people can see what we sell," she said.

But some residents said they would rather see more actual PCs, instead of PCSOs who do not have the same powers.

Tracey Roberts says traders have concerns over the potential impact

Vera Collins, 69, said: "If they say this protects jobs, I'd accept it.

"I didn't notice the PCSOs anyway - if anything we need more police in the town, that's the main problem."

Paul Kelly, 27, said there is not a lot of trouble in the town at night.

"I don't mind - but I can totally understand if other people say the opposite, it depends on how safe you feel," he said.

Councillor Sharon Harvey, Labour leader of Redditch Borough Council, has also written to Mr Campion, asking him to "collectively advocate" for the later shifts to be reinstated.

'Motion wilfully uninformed'

However, Mr Campion has told the BBC the decision was made by police in consultation with him.

He called the motion at Herefordshire Council the "very worst of local politics at work".

"The motion is wilfully uninformed, unevidenced, inaccurate and misleading," he said.

"It serves no purpose other than undermining public confidence without any justification."

The West Mercia force said the move would allow them to concentrate resources during the day, when most crime takes place, as well as save money.

In recent months, the force has recruited an extra 20 PCSOs who are starting work earlier.