Harlow Labour leader also slams Tories over plans other sack all PCSOs

Crime / Wed 29th Jan 2025 at 10:16am

THE LEADER OF Harlow Labour has also slammed the Tories over their plans to sack all the Police Community Support Officers in Essex.

Councillor James Griggs said: “Cllr Swords and PCC Mr Hirst complain of budget cuts and redundancies yet Essex Police is receiving a budget increase of £24.9m for 2025/26.

They were significantly less vocal when their Conservative Govt led by Teresa May slashed police numbers across the country by tens of thousands.

“Cllr Swords and Mr Hirst are, once again, playing disingenuous political games with the police.

The proportion of our council tax that funds the police has been increased by Mr Hirst year after year and he is planning to do so again this year, the National Insurance increase has been covered by the Government so it appears to boil down to the fact that he is just incapable of managing the budget effectively.

“These redundancy proposals are a political choice which I completely condemn. Our PCSOs are a vital, hard working link in our communities. Mr Hirst needs to look again at the choices he’s making.

5 Comments for Harlow Labour leader also slams Tories over plans other sack all PCSOs:

Peter Lamb

2025-01-29 10:43:28

Both Labour and the Conservatives playing political football with Harlow residents safety, can they both not come together and act like adults to resolve the problem, if not then step aside and let people who care about these major issues solve them

adam

2025-01-29 16:03:05

Labour / Cons two sides of the same A**E. Both have managed the decline of the UK where nothing works, taxes are high and there is money for everything but the people of this nation. If you are not furious with our political class you are not paying attention

Stuart Crook

2025-01-29 16:29:29

Well said Peter it’s the same with the government why can’t they all work together to make this a better country to live in

AB

2025-01-29 18:05:08

The Tories know no shame, they try and characterise a funding increase as a backward step, after they spent14 years wrecking public services.

Chris

2025-01-30 07:25:48

Agreed Peter, if both sides care so passionately for the country then work together. 'Slamming' each side only makes politicians look more like children having a playground fight. Where is teacher to reason and look to a solution.