In the news: Basildon Council welcomes police cuts reversal

Councillor Melissa McGeorge, Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Enforcement at Basildon Council, welcomed the recent announcement from the Home Secretary of an extra £100 million for neighbourhood policing and that Essex Police as a result has reversed its planned cut of Police & Community Support Officers (PCSOs). All such posts will be retained. The Essex share of the new money is £2.3 million.

Councillor McGeorge said: "This reversal by the Police and Crime Commissioner is very welcome indeed. As he himself acknowledges, active lobbying by Essex politicians, especially by our own Leader, Councillor Callaghan, has achieved this result. But not before Essex Police caused great anxiety among PCSOs and, more importantly, the wider public with unnecessary cuts in the first place. Essex Police were given an extra £25 million for this year which, with the new money, is now £27.3 million. It's clear that Essex Policing has been mismanaged for some time now.

"The public now need assurances that it's not just a temporary reprieve, that it's permanent, and that the cut will not be repeated once the spotlight is off the issue.

"The Police & Crime Commission and Chief Constable also needs to reinstate the custody suite in Basildon Police station and guarantee its future. We can't have police arresting people and having to spend half a day driving to and from Southend or Colchester. Basildon Police need to be on the streets of Basildon not sitting in traffic elsewhere."

Ends

Published 5 February 2025

Contact Basildon Council's Press Office at pressoffice@basildon.gov.uk for further information.