Plans by Avon & Somerset Police to cut a programme offered to youngsters in the village of Peasedown St John have been criticised by a local councillor.
Phil Lyle, Mark Shelford, Cllr Gavin Heathcote and Cllr Karen Walker outside Peasedown St John Primary School
Councillor Gavin Heathcote (Independent) has long been a supporter of the “mini-police” initiative, which has seen over 100 youngsters develop new life skills and build self-esteem since it was launched five years ago.
Avon & Somerset Police recently announced that all mini-police programmes will be cut from 12 months to 9 weeks.
Gavin said: “This is terrible news. I know so many children in Peasedown St John who have benefitted from taking part.
“Not only is the course being cut – in terms of delivery time – by an incredible 80%, but the children are having their uniforms and extra-curricular trips taken away too!”
The mini-police initiative is a police engagement programme that has been running successfully at Peasedown St John Primary School with children in Year 5.
Children must apply and be interviewed for the role and then attend regular training sessions led by PCSOs.
Topics covered include traffic and speed awareness with a visit from the police speed enforcement team and first aid training. Up until recently, they are each given a uniform.
Councillor Heathcote said the changes have been implemented since the new Labour Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) took office.
He added: “These cuts to the mini-police are just plain mean. I completely understand that the new Labour government and the Labour Police Commissioner need to make cuts to services, but to impose these on services for children is a step too far.”
Councillor Heathcote said he has written to PCC Clare Moody to ask for a meeting and to request that the cuts to the mini-police be reversed.
Avon & Somerset Police and PCC Clare Moody have been contacted for comment.
