Petition supports call for neighbourhood policing to continue

A petition calling on Brighton & Hove Council to continue supporting Neighbourhood Policing and continue their support of the work of Local Action Teams (LATS) has been organised by community activist Steve Parry.

Among other things, the role of LATS is to hold the police to account and determine local community priorities. Over the last few years the effectiveness of some LATS has been weakened through local councillors serving as officials on locals LAT committees.

The petition requires 1,250 local citizens to add their signatures for the issue to be discussed at full Council on October 22.

The petition reads:
We the undersigned petition Brighton & Hove Council to express support for ‘Neighbourhood Policing’ and to oppose decisions by the Police and Crime Commissioner, together with senior officers of Sussex Police, to reduce the number of police officers delivering local policing. Brighton & Hove City Council is also requested to confirm its policy on, and commitment to, Local Action Teams (LATs) as initially agreed by Cabinet on May 21, 2009.

To sign the petition, click here:

There will be 700 fewer police officers delivering local policing over the next 5 years, and a further 300 posts elsewhere in the force will go.

In particular, Sussex will lose more Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). 58 (out of 347) have already left and there are another 69 to go.

More and more the police often don’t have the time to attend Local Action Team meetings and accountability to local communities is being lost.

Mr Parry said: “A significant change in policy is being implemented without consultation and against the clear wishes and needs of local citizens.”

The Petition will be presented to the council on October 22.