Being talked up (From Malvern Gazette)

Being talked up

10:53am Friday 21st September 2007 in Letters

WITH reference to CSOs having an impact on crime (Malvern Gazette, September 7), I note most of their time is spent "on foot and talking to people in the community".

Surely this was always the case in the not too distant past. The bobby on his beat or on his bike. The difference now is the person doing the patrolling is powerless.

I suggest that as part of their employment package CSOs should be enrolled as Special Constables, which would give them the clout they need to be effective.

At present the perception I have is that the job is being talked up. Word has come down to chief police officers from their political masters that any criticism will be answered by the official line that CSOs are doing an important and worthwhile job.

This is all very well until someone comes along and throws a spanner in the works. I quote in the first instance Insp. Mark Scoular (Met Training) "CSOs, civilian patrol staff introduced by David Blunkett do little to assist me in frontline delivery due to lack of training and experience." A further report, August 21, states "Figures have revealed that CSOs are solving just one crime every six years".

So there you have it. People will make up their own minds. As for myself, I am far from convinced that CSOs are good value for money.

CHRIS TAYLOR, Hanley Castle.