Council urges police to rethink PCSO hours switch

West Mercia Police said the move would save £350,000 a year

Herefordshire Council has said it will write to the chief constable of West Mercia Police to urge him to reverse a decision to end PCSOs' working days earlier.

At a full council meeting on Thursday, councillors unanimously voted to write to Richard Cooper and Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion over the matter.

The decision comes after it was announced PCSOs would start patrols earlier in the day and finish at 20:00 instead of 22:00.

The force said the move would save £350,000 a year and allow for greater police resources earlier in the day, when more crime tends to take place. Councillors suggested officers were most needed later on.

Liberal Democrat member Rob Owens said he was concerned.

"PCSOs are frequently the only visible policing presence, it's their visibility that deters crime and provides reassurance that someone is watching over the community," he said.

He added that 20:00 was "precisely the time their presence is most needed".