Police Community Support Officers get thumbs down in Camden

Camden Gazette 25th May 2005

A MORI poll was undertaken recently in Camden, London this showed ;

1. More than half the respondents say they have seen a police officer in their area in the last week.

2. 64 % of respondents said they were "a lot" reassured by police foot patrols.

Camden Town District Management Committee vice-chairman Paul Tomlinson, said: "PCSOs are cheaper policemen. Only being able to detain someone for 30 minutes is not really effective policing. If they're going to invest in officers it should be full police officers not PCSOs."

Mr Tomlinson added: "I've seen two police on the beat this morning, walking along the pavement. There's more activity, which is good. That's what we want and that's what we're paying for.

Silla Carron, chairwoman of the Clarence Way Tenants' Association, in Camden Town, said:
"The police are doing their job”, she added: "PCSOs are wannabes.” , she added ,” You'd be better off with a copper who's got the power of arrest.”

Inspector Taylor Wilson, of Camden police, said: "I don't know why the public feels that way about PCSOs”
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Perhaps Inspector Taylor should get out on the streets of Camden and ask a hoodie what a "wannabe" is.