Police shake-up will mean 73 more officers but 101 fewer PCSOs

A POLICE shake-up will mean 73 more officers across South Yorkshire — but a big reduction in PCSOs.

The additions — including 13 sergeants — are on top of 30 officer roles already announced for this year.

The extra 73 roles, which were announced today (Tuesday), follow a review of police community support officers.

South Yorkshire Police said the number of PCSO posts would reduce by 101 to 116 but there would be no redundancies.

Assistant Chief Constable David Hartley said: “What we have learned from the review is that PCSOs were being used for issues that they weren’t initially intended for and they are being used in many different ways across the force. 

“The public consultation we have held suggests that the public want most of our neighbourhood teams to undertake work that requires them to have warranted powers.

“PCSOs do not have the powers needed to undertake many of this activity, therefore the workforce balance on neighbourhood teams wasn’t right.”

The changes to neighbourhood policing will not be implemented immediately, the force said, as a detailed plan and training was needed first.

Mr Hartley said: “We know that this change cannot happen overnight and we will look to ensure that we have resilience in our neighbourhoods before any changes are made.”