Chelmsford News
Schools' policing set for huge shake-up
7:30am Thursday 9th February 2012
THE number of police officers dedicated to schools will reduce as part of a “massive shake-up” of Essex Police.
Chelmsford has the highest number of schools officers in the county, but under the new arrangements four will become three and the role will no longer see officers based purely in the borough’s schools.
The job title will be changed to youth officer and the role will be expanded to cover all aspects concerning young people.
As part of the changes, Chelmsford’s chief inspector, Steve Ditchburn will also become district commander for Maldon.
He said the remit of the new youth officers will be much wider.
“They will cover the youth community as a whole but it’s a little bit up in the air how it’s going to look,” he said.
“The schools have been briefed so they know what’s coming and they’re accepting the fact we can’t afford to provide that many schools officers, but they will still have contact on a regular basis.”
The force must make savings of £41million and at a meeting of Chelmsford Council’s overview and scrutiny committee on Monday, Mr Ditchburn explained how the reforms will affect the town.
Chelmsford will have a dedicated inspector, Ed Wells, who will be responsible for all partnership work on issues relating to community safety, schemes such as neighbourhood watch, the night time economy, licensing, media and crime reduction.
The town will sit within local policing area north and on March 1 will be merged with Maldon.
Mr Ditchburn said PCSOs will remain, but a number of Chelmsford police officers will be moving on and will be replaced.