The APA today (22/3/6) welcomed the Government's commitment to increase Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) numbers to 16,000 by April 2007, but warned that many police authorities could have difficulty finding the 25% match funding the Government requires for the initiative.

Plans to speed up PCSO recruitment will mean that more funding will be required from police authorities in 2007/8, at a time when Government plans to restructure policing across England and Wales are likely to have their greatest financial impact on police authorities.

APA Chairman, Bob Jones said: "The Government's commitment to increase the pace that PCSOs are recruited is great news for our local communities, but getting the finance right is just as important.  Restructuring will place a heavy burden on police authorities, and we are still waiting for answers on where start-up money will come from, so finding the 25% match funding required to finance PCSOs may cause real difficulties for some police authorities.

"It is essential that every new PCSO is properly funded.  The APA continues to seek assurances that police authorities can be flexible in the way they use Government funding to increase PCSO numbers, and so develop more effective neighbourhood policing for all communities in England and Wales."