We are appealing to Cambridgeshire's Chief Constable, Nick Dean, to stop the proposed reduction of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) from 80 to 40. We urge all Cambridgeshire residents to sign this petition.

Cambridgeshire's local PCSOs are the feet on the ground in our urban and rural communities and play a crucial role in tackling anti-social behaviour, vandalism and other minor public order offences. In addition, their local knowledge has been put to good use in other areas - illegal parking, building strong links with local schools and community groups, as well as gathering information on local drug-related activity.

A 2016 Cambridge University study, in association with Cambridgeshire Constabulary, found that TWO full-time PCSOs "on the beat" would prevent the equivalent of 86 assaults a year. In addition, every £10 spent on local officers saves £56 in prison costs. According to Professor Lawrence Sherman the study "set the standard for cost-effectiveness in policing". [https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/policing-two-officers-on-the-beat-prevent-86-assaults-and-save-thousands-in-prison-costs

So why is Cambridgeshire Constabulary now choosing to ignore the evidence and reduce the number of PCSOs in our communities?

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION AND SAVE YOUR LOCAL POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICERS.