Frustration aired over high turnover of PCSOs in Wrexham as councillors claim role used as ‘stepping stone’

Frustration has been aired over the high turnover of police community support officers (PCSOs) in Wrexham.

It follows claims by councillors that the role is mainly being used as a “stepping stone” for people who want to become regular police officers to the detriment of policing in the county borough.

Cllr Nigel Williams highlight the area he represents in Broughton is meant to have three PCSOs.

However, he said the full number of posts had not been filled for several years, with only one currently active in the area.

North Wales Police acknowledged there had been changes to how PCSOs are spread out, meaning less may cover some locations than before.

However, the force stressed it had a full establishment of 42 full time equivalent community officers working to tackle crime across Wrexham.

Addressing a virtual meeting of backbench councillors on Wednesday, Cllr Williams said: “Speaking personally for the area I cover in Broughton; we should have three PCSOs and we’ve never had three for years.

“At the moment we’ve got one because one left a few months ago.

“The problem is that it’s a stepping stone. A lot of them do join to go on to be a regular officer and good luck to them.

“But you’re waiting months again for another person to replace that PCSO and then that person starts again. It’s just a bit infuriating really.”

The independent councillor said he would prefer to have normal police officers working in communities to ensure continuity.

The issue was raised after members of the safeguarding, communities and wellbeing scrutiny committee previously sought clarification on the total number of PCSOs working in Wrexham.

Figures presented to them in March showed there were 35 out of a budgeted amount of 42.

That figure has now risen to full establishment after several new PCSOs started working.

Bryn Cefn councillor Beverley Parry-Jones said she was content with policing arrangements in the area.

She said: “We do actually have a regular bobby for the Broughton area. I have met him on several occasions, and he does seem to be very thorough.

“He is active in the community and he certainly isn’t a PCSO.”

In response, Cllr Williams said: “Yes, there is a regular officer in the community who I’ve met myself, but we’re supposed to have three PCSOs as well.

“There’s only one at the moment. That was my comment which is a fact.”

Other committee members also voiced concerns about the high turnover of PCSOs in their wards.

Llangollen rural councillor Rondo Roberts said: “Any of them who do show any promise in the delivery of their jobs are moved on pretty quickly and we feel like it’s bedding ground for somebody who wants to become a full time police officer.

“It’s very disappointing because you lose the continuity of working with people and it’s something that could be addressed a lot better.”

In a written response to some of the issues, acting chief inspector for Wrexham Stephen Roberts provided further clarification over how PCSOs are deployed.

He said: “The PCSOs share a ward cluster. This means that three PCSOs may cover the area that five used to.

“They share the ward responsibility and solve problems as a team. This gives a ward access to more resources and a wider cover of shifts. This should reduce times when no PCSOs are available.”

He added: “This is a new way of working as a result of the operational improvement programme and is an organic learning process for both NWP and community councils.

“The teams focus is based upon threat, harm and risk and agreed priorities, it also provides for a better supervisory structure which provides better support for our PCSOs.”

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter