WASTING POLICE TIME
I have just found a press release from the Conservative website stating that 'merging' the police force is actually shorthand for 'cutting the police force'. According to the source, plans are to replace full-time police officers with cheaper community support officers. What must be understood is that PCSOs have few powers compared to fully trained police officers. They are there simply to show an authoritative presence to the public. Shadow Home Secretary, David Davis pointed out that the public has paid for additional police recruiting, through higher council tax bills while the Government have been happy to brag about increasing the number of officers on the beat. Unfortunately, PSCOs are useless to help in the fight against crime. Without fully trained police officers (sorry Tony, they're more expensive), there is no way crime will be cut.