(a)

the PCC was investigating the possibility of opening a number of police stations, manned by volunteers;

(b)

the style of crime was changing, and the traditional approaches to policing also needed to change;

(c)

it was acknowledged that whilst PCSOs were at the forefront of dealing with crime (prevention, community intelligence etc), assets were needed to conduct the complex investigations which followed;

(d)

a ‘postcode lottery’ existed in rural areas in terms of ‘keeping people safe’ in high risk matters.  In 2010 approximately 80% of 999 calls were responded to within the target time of 20 minutes.  In 2017 this figure was approximately 80% in Plymouth and Exeter, however this figure was 45% in rural areas;

(e)

policing was a Crown Service, and it was the responsibility of the Chief Constable to configure the workforce to the best of his ability;

(f)

the Chief Constable was fully aware of the importance of protecting communities within the peninsula, and acknowledged that he had lost, and would continue to lose, police and police staff if the current level of PCSOs remained the same;

(g)

the Police and Crime Bill (due to receive Royal Assent in the near future) could enable the delegation of powers to Community Wardens;

(h)

an improvement in the budget could result in the mitigation of the impact of this Plan on PCSOs;

(i)

the Chief Constable acknowledged that he was faced with making difficult decisions surrounding the future of PCSOs, recognised the dangers involved, and would not implement any changes without the full consultation of local communities;

(j)

a wide range of people were keeping the residents of the peninsula safe, and it was acknowledged that in some areas a PCSO was the only face of policing;

(k)

the PCC reiterated that the intention of the Plan was to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43