This week, Cheshire Police will complete its employment consultation with PCSOs, after announcing that it would like to reduce numbers by 60.

This is not something I have welcomed, but I have stopped short of offering my personal opinion on the matter so far. That's because, while I do not agree with the decision to cut PCSO numbers, as Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), I must remain independent. I’m not allowed to interfere in operational policing decisions made by the Chief Constable.

Do not mistake my silence for indifference

I know first-hand the positive impact that PCSOs have in community engagement and I'm alive to the swell of feeling for them. It's also been a difficult time for those directly involved in the consultation. I understand that Cheshire Police is considering a mix of requests for redeployment, retirement and voluntary redundancy, with compulsory redundancy as a last resort.

What does the future of policing in neighbourhoods look like?

Cheshire Police will increase the size of the neighbourhood policing team from 251 people in April 2025 to 326 people in 2026. This will include a mix of Officers, Sergeants, Inspectors - and PCSOs.

This remodelling will allow Cheshire Police to make the most of £3m funding from the Government as part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. It also aims to address new challenges in modern community policing. At my citizens’ assemblies, residents have said they’d like local police to tackle illegal e-bikes, shop theft and anti-social behaviour; that means we need police with more powers to arrest in our neighbourhoods.

Yet residents and stakeholders have also told me they feel worried that police officers may be redeployed elsewhere too often. For the last month, I’ve been working hard on your behalf to get cast-iron assurances that more police officers in our communities will mean exactly that.

I remain committed to delivering my promise to you, as set out in my police and crime plan, of ensuring a named Police Constable (PC) or PCSO for every ward in Cheshire

Behind the scenes, I've requested key information, modelling, data and reassurances. I’ll hold the Chief Constable to a rigorous performance framework on this and I’ll publicly scrutinise how community policing is delivered to make sure any new plans are effective.

Vital engagement and prevention work will not be lost. Where it is no longer viable, I’ll make sure this is explained openly. With increasing numbers, I’ve also requested a review of the 122 wards of the neighbourhood policing model; something residents and councillors often raise with me.

Budget discussions are ongoing

In the meantime, budget discussions are ongoing and will not be concluded until February. My office continues to explore alternative savings and I’m calling for greater budget freedom.

Once the Government announces its funding settlement in late December, I'll consult with the public and partners on my finalised proposals before submitting my council tax precept recommendation to the Police and Crime Panel in early February. As usual, the outcome will be communicated to everyone in Cheshire.

As your elected representative for community safety and your voice in policing, I will continue to hold the Chief Constable to account.

Dan Price, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner