Liam Byrne MP has praised the additional police that can be seen around Hodge Hill but is continuing his campaign to increase the number of bobbies on the beat.

Residents have seen Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) assisting the work of the new Neighbourhood Policing Teams and when the current rollout of PCSOs is complete in February, there will be over 40 new officers working in the area.

Liam said:

“It’s great to see the new officers around and about. Police presence and immediate responses are what matter most to people and the fact that the PCSOs prioritise being out on the streets is fantastic. As a visible presence, the officers provide reassurance to the public as well as deterring offenders and groups involved in anti-social behaviour. I just wish we had more.”

He added:

“Government investment has meant that police numbers are at a record high. The PCSOs we already have in Hodge Hill are making a difference to our area and this is why I am calling for even more to be trained up over the next year or so. The sooner we can all see them on the beat the better.”

The government has increased funding for neighbourhood policing by 41% for 2007/08. PCSOs support the community-based Neighbourhood Policing Teams through local intelligence, tackling issues of concern to local people and working in partnership with the local community. They also work with local service providers to enable action to be triggered where residents feel that services are not being delivered.