Morecambe MP calls for alternative to possible job cuts to Police Community Support Officers

Hot on the heels of Lancashire Constabulary's announcement of possible redundancies for all Police Community Support Officers in the county (see news story), Morecambe and Lunesdale MP David Morris has tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons that argues  the proposal makes the wrong kind of cuts to services.

An Early Day Motion is a motion, expressed as a single sentence, tabled by Members of Parliament for debate "on an early day" (namely an unspecific date in the future).

In his EDM, Mr Morris takes the view that Lancashire Police could cut back office bureaucrats rather than frontline PCSOs.

Noting that Lancashire Police Constabulary have begun consulting on making PCSOs redundant, the EDM, which will be put forward on Monday also notes the importance of community policing and the government’s insistence that budget cuts should not fall on frontline staff.

The EDM states Mr Morris belief that cuts could be made by reducing bureaucracy and waste; and requests the Chief Constable of Lancashire to look at streamlining Police administration instead of cutting the frontline; and further requests that Lancashire Police Authority organise an urgent meeting between the full authority and local MPs so that alterative cuts in bureaucracy can be proposed.

Controversial EDMs won't be signed by Government Ministers, PPS or the Speaker of the House of Commons and very few are debated on the floor of the Chamber of the House. EDMs remain open for signature for the duration of the parliamentary session.