More PCSOs make Bristol safer?

Via Bristol City Council:

Over 40 new Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are now patrolling the streets of Bristol thanks to £1. 2 million pounds worth of funding from Bristol City Council. This increases the numbers of PCSOs to 132 in the city, meaning that the number of PCSOs in the city has grown by over a third.

Do they indeed? See here for a summary of the difference between a PCSO and a sworn officer. Both honourable; both worthy; but only one is a real copper that instils fear in criminals.

Assistant Chief Constable John Long said "I applaud Bristol City Council for providing us with the funding for this additional resource and I believe it clearly demonstrates their commitment to making Bristol a safer city.

Every taxpayer in the City and Council of Bristol contributes £107.51-£322.52 via the police precept to fund Avon & Somerset Constabulary, plus another £1.2 million on top. But even after paying twice, you still don’t get a proper service.

Related Links

• Investigating Officers (and Part #2)
• Scrap the Avon and Somerset Constabulary