Thurrock Council is to continue match-funding 15 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), its cabinet agreed on Wednesday (15 April) evening.
Members were told that detailed negotiations with Essex Police over recent weeks had led to a “special services agreement” which will come into effect from June.
Cllr Ben Maney, Thurrock’s Cabinet member for Public Protection, said: “As the council has contributed a substantial amount of money to Essex Police for additional PCSOs in the borough, it was common sense for us to review the arrangement and ensure residents were getting value for money.
“As part of the review we also looked at whether there were other areas where the money could be better spent — such as additional CCTV coverage for example.
“After looking at various options the Cabinet has decided to approve a new contract with Essex Police, which will see continued funding of PCSOs, but which also gives the council a direct influence on what these officers do and where
YourThurrock spoke to the Chair of the Labour Group, Carl Morris to assess the Opposition’s viewpoint on the issue.
YourThurrock invited Thurrock Council to be interviewed on film but at the time of going to press, no-one was made available.
