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South Wales Police recruit over 200 PCSOs, but cut front desk staff | South Wales Police recruit over 200 PCSOs, but cut front desk staff |
(about 1 hour later) | |
More than 200 new police community support officers (PCSOs) will be recruited by South Wales Police at a time when front desk staff face cuts. | More than 200 new police community support officers (PCSOs) will be recruited by South Wales Police at a time when front desk staff face cuts. |
Deputy chief constable Colette Paul says civilian jobs could go when station inquiry posts are cut later this year. | Deputy chief constable Colette Paul says civilian jobs could go when station inquiry posts are cut later this year. |
She hoped redundancies would be voluntary with some redeployment. | She hoped redundancies would be voluntary with some redeployment. |
Eight main stations will open longer, mobile police stations will be brought in and crimes can be reported online. | Eight main stations will open longer, mobile police stations will be brought in and crimes can be reported online. |
It is part of a scheme called the Accessibility Strategy, which is being launched for consultation by the force on Wednesday. | It is part of a scheme called the Accessibility Strategy, which is being launched for consultation by the force on Wednesday. |
Ms Paul said it was designed to serve the needs of the public better. | Ms Paul said it was designed to serve the needs of the public better. |
The PCSOs will be funded by the Welsh government. | The PCSOs will be funded by the Welsh government. |
Ms Paul said they play a "valuable and vital role" in providing face-to-face contact with the public, while mobile policing units allowed people to speak to officers directly. | Ms Paul said they play a "valuable and vital role" in providing face-to-face contact with the public, while mobile policing units allowed people to speak to officers directly. |
Ms Paul said the plan was to "refocus our efforts" on the front line after figures showed the number of people visiting front desks over the last few years had dropped. | Ms Paul said the plan was to "refocus our efforts" on the front line after figures showed the number of people visiting front desks over the last few years had dropped. |
She said most people contacted police by phone, while many of the large number of buildings were in a bad state of repair and no longer seen as fit for modern policing. | She said most people contacted police by phone, while many of the large number of buildings were in a bad state of repair and no longer seen as fit for modern policing. |
The force has not yet provided details on how many front desks and staff will be affected. | The force has not yet provided details on how many front desks and staff will be affected. |
Ms Paul said: "We will try to redeploy or ensure voluntary redundancy for these staff." | Ms Paul said: "We will try to redeploy or ensure voluntary redundancy for these staff." |
Stations that will remain open between 16 and 24 hours a day are at Bridgend, Barry, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff Central, Merthyr, Neath, Pontypridd, and Swansea Central. | |
'More convenient' | 'More convenient' |
From April, a one-stop shop call centre will open where staff will take emergency and non-emergency calls and attempt to immediately deal with a caller's problem. | From April, a one-stop shop call centre will open where staff will take emergency and non-emergency calls and attempt to immediately deal with a caller's problem. |
The public will be able to report non-emergency crimes and keep track of the investigation online. | The public will be able to report non-emergency crimes and keep track of the investigation online. |
Richard Jones from the Police Federation in south Wales "welcomed any use of IT that frees up police officers". | Richard Jones from the Police Federation in south Wales "welcomed any use of IT that frees up police officers". |
Ms Paul wanted to "make it more convenient" for the public to contact the police. | Ms Paul wanted to "make it more convenient" for the public to contact the police. |
She added: "Times are changing and so are our communities and the way we police them. | She added: "Times are changing and so are our communities and the way we police them. |
"Fewer people now pop in to a police station to speak to an officer in person. The telephone, especially the mobile phone, the internet and email, are becoming increasingly important ways to get in touch. | "Fewer people now pop in to a police station to speak to an officer in person. The telephone, especially the mobile phone, the internet and email, are becoming increasingly important ways to get in touch. |
"We need to adapt to that accordingly." | "We need to adapt to that accordingly." |
Staff are being informed about the developments, and a final decision on the proposals will be made later this year. | Staff are being informed about the developments, and a final decision on the proposals will be made later this year. |
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