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01/12/09 :Save our Police Community Support Officers! Anneliese Dodds and local campaigners present Petition to Reading Council Cabinet :
Yesterday evening Reading East Parliamentary Candidate, Anneliese Dodds and Labour campaigners for Redlands Ward (Kelly Edwards), Church Ward (Malcolm Powers) and Park Ward (Richard McKenzie) presented a petition signed by over 300 local residents, businesses and students to Reading Borough Council’s Cabinet meeting.
The petition makes clear the strength of local feeling against the University’s decision to cut its part funding for local Police Community Support officers.
Since the PCSOs were introduced to the University area three years ago, and their numbers have increased, there has been a significant amount of work between the police, the local community, the University and students themselves to deal with anti-social behaviour, coordinated through the local NAG (Neighbourhood Action Group).
Kelly Edwards, campaigner for Redlands Ward where the University is based gave the following speech to the Cabinet this evening:
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to present our PCSO petition to Cabinet tonight. The petition calls for an urgent re-think by the University of Reading on its decision to cut its share of funding for PCSOs that operate in and around the University.
The petition has been compiled from a number of wards by Anneliese Dodds - Labour’s PPC for Reading East, Malcolm Powers - Church Ward campaigner, Richard McKenzie - Park ward campaigner and myself, Kelly Edwards, as Redlands campaigner It is important to stress that students, residents, businesses, including local shops, have all signed the petition. The concern regarding the University’s decision comes from a great range of groups and we also know there is concern from the Redlands and University NAG.
PCSOs play a vital role in reducing antisocial behaviour in the local area. They have conducted regular surgeries at the Student Union and were prominent at the University’s most recent ‘safety week.’ Their redeployment will clearly be a sad loss and as our petition shows is very alarming for the local community. We urge Reading Council Cabinet to support our campaign and the views of over 300 Reading residents and put pressure on the University to rethink its decision and retain these much needed PCSOS".
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