Force might not press ahead with PCSO redundancies

Roger Hirst said Essex Police would "revise" its redundancy proposals in light of government funding

A police force might not cut its 99 community officers as planned, after the government announced a £100m investment in policing.

Essex Police said on Tuesday it needed to make drastic staffing cuts to mitigate a budget shortfall of £5.3m.

However, the government said on Friday it would invest the nine-figure sum into neighbourhood policing teams across England and Wales.

It was not yet known how much Essex Police would receive, but Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst said: "On the back of today's announcement, we will revise our proposals."

As well as axing 99 PCSOs, or community support officers, 65 staff roles were also put at risk earlier this week.

Hirst, who was elected on a Conservative ticket, said the cash injection would "go some way" towards bridging the force's budget deficit.

It followed what he described as "the hardest decision we would ever have to make".

"This has been a difficult few days - we recognise the impact our announcement has had on people's lives," he said.

A total of 164 roles at Essex Police are at risk while the redundancy plan remains in place

PCSOs are paid employees but do not have powers of arrest unless accompanied by a constable.

The proposed redundancies are subject to consultation.

Hirst thanked the government for listening to his concerns and said work would continue to establish a long-term funding settlement for the force.

'Major turning point'

The £100m investment was scheduled for the next financial year, with each force due to set out plans on how they would use it to increase patrols by spring.

It came after the government announced a separate £100m funding boost for England and Wales in December.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said both investments in neighbourhood policing marked a "major turning point".

"We are giving forces across the country what they need to put more officers and PCSOs where they're needed most - on our streets and in our town centres," she added.