Telford Conservatives slam Labour over PCSO Hours
Telford & Wrekin’s Conservative Group has hit out at the local Labour party, urging them to take responsibility for pressures on PCSO funding that stem from national government decisions, not local policing headquarters at Hindlip Hall. This comes as Labour councillor Richard Overton’s motion, debated at Full Council, called for the Conservative Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) to reverse proposed reductions to PCSO evening shifts.
John Campion, the re-elected PCC for West Mercia, highlighted that while government funding for policing has increased by £9.4 million this year, nearly half of this uplift – £4.2 million – has been absorbed by increased employer National Insurance contributions imposed by the Labour Chancellor. A further £2.4 million is swallowed by the nationally agreed 2.8% police pay award, leaving a meagre £2.8 million to cover all other inflationary and operational pressures faced by West Mercia Police.
Councillor Rachael Tyrrell, who represents Priorslee for the Conservative Group, stated, “We all value the work of PCSOs and want to see their presence retained in our communities. But when almost the entire funding uplift is immediately swallowed by Labour’s national cost increases, the Commissioner must protect front-line services and the operations of uniformed officers.” She added, “If Labour are serious about keeping PCSOs on the streets in the evenings, they should use their influence in government to deliver fairer funding for West Mercia Police.”
The Conservative Group expressed disappointment that local Labour councillors have resorted to “party-political statements in the council chamber and launch public petitions,” while their own representatives on the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel have reportedly failed to attend most meetings for over a year – the very forum designed for direct engagement with the PCC on such matters.
Maintaining frontline officer numbers is a key priority for the Conservative Group, who insist that any necessary budget savings following Labour’s tax hikes on public services are being found from back-office functions rather than uniformed officers.
Councillor Tyrrell further criticised, “Rather than performative motions, we need constructive engagement. If Labour councillors had shown up to the Police and Crime Panel meetings, they would have had the opportunity to raise concerns and help shape outcomes. Instead, they chose to applaud themselves for releasing a useless survey instead of seeking practical solutions within their own government.”
The Conservative Group is now calling on the borough’s MPs, including Telford MP Shaun Davies, to press the Treasury and Home Office for targeted support for police forces like West Mercia, where rising employment costs are threatening neighbourhood policing roles. They argue that only through fair funding and responsible dialogue can safe, visible policing be ensured across our communities.
