tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766575468286623779.post6382056509586945503..comments2023-11-15T23:04:07.204+00:00Comments on Hedge End Blogger: Where Have All the PCSOs Gone?Keith Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03224992126917407802noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766575468286623779.post-2987160302440585592014-12-01T00:42:14.879+00:002014-12-01T00:42:14.879+00:00Forgive my naivety, but don't we taxpayers alr...Forgive my naivety, but don't we taxpayers already pay a large amount of money each year to Hampshire Constabulary to provide a police service? So why are we paying again via the local council?<br /><br />Incidentally, what a massive con is this PCSO lark! When Blunkett introduced them, we were told they would not replace 'proper' police but would simply patrol the streets to help people - 'community support', geddit? Those of us who laughed cynically were correct: these quasi-police now drive around in police cars, performing many of the functions of the 'proper' police. See the example above, where a PCSO was despatched to apprehend criminals. That was not supposed to be their function.<br /><br />PCSOs were another con by our political masters to cover up their mismanagement of public safety.renardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11490554275635757289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766575468286623779.post-50079398010702851122014-10-21T09:20:57.702+01:002014-10-21T09:20:57.702+01:00Can the writer above enlighten us - if the PCSO is...Can the writer above enlighten us - if the PCSO is on rest days/holiday/training/sick, how much cover does Hedge End actually get? Very little by the sound of it. I thought a contribution from all tax payers went towards funding this (almost non existent) service as well as that from Hedge End Town Council. Together, that must pay for more than half a PCSO, surely. A very unbalanced and biased piece !T Cousinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766575468286623779.post-37559168019619139742014-10-20T16:35:09.384+01:002014-10-20T16:35:09.384+01:00A very unbalanced piece. You mention several times...A very unbalanced piece. You mention several times that Hedge End contribute £14,000 of taxpayers money. What you don't mention is that the starting salary for a PCSO in Hampshire is £18.909 according to the Hampshire Constabulary website. Add in recruitment, training (which is ongoing) and the contribution might not amount to half of the cost of one PCSO. <br />Admittedly us taxpayers still deserve value for money but PCSO's like anyone else are entitled to rest days, annual leave, training days they will be absent due to illness etc. If there are two and one is on holiday for two weeks does that mean the other must work without a day off for two weeks, and cover the days and evenings. Be realistic and have some perspective.<br />The incident with the paddling pool is a great shame, but no one was injured or died as a result.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766575468286623779.post-22357473673488166902014-10-13T14:54:08.250+01:002014-10-13T14:54:08.250+01:00As above the anwer has got to be an emphatic no. ...As above the anwer has got to be an emphatic no. Having requested a police presence back in the summer, a PCSO arrived, on a bicylce, three and a half hours after the criminal had absconded. Clearly he was called back from where ever he had been deployed (a long way from Hedge End). The opportunity to apprehend a felon was missed. We Hedge Enders are not protected or getting value for money from a wasted £14,000.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766575468286623779.post-66884648438795460282014-10-12T06:48:11.854+01:002014-10-12T06:48:11.854+01:00Clearly the answer is No! Perhaps the elusive loca...Clearly the answer is No! Perhaps the elusive local MP Mike Thornton should get involved, but I guess that's not likely!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com