Northamptonshire PCSO cuts plan to save £500,000
The jobs of police community support officers (PCSOs) are under threat in Northamptonshire as the county council looks to make cuts.
The authority wants to save £500,000 it pays to Northamptonshire Police which helps to pay for PCSOs.
The force said it could mean between 16 and 26 out of 162 PCSOs losing their jobs.
Northamptonshire Police Federation spokesman Roy Wollescroft said the cuts would affect services to the public.
"PCSOs are highly valued within the community and the service because they are a major part of Northamptonshire's policing plan," he said.
'Nothing in reserve'
The leader of the council, Jim Harker, Conservative, said it was one of many cuts the council had to consider.
"We have not got anything in reserve and have to look at every item of cost that we spend money on and decide on the priorities."
The funding for PCSOs comes from partners including the county council, borough councils, parish councils and private firms.
The leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition, Councillor Brendan Glynane, who also serves on Northamptonshire's Police Authority, said: "We all know that crime is not just a police problem.
"If we want our communities to be vibrant, happy and safe then it takes all partners to do that."
The public will be consulted about the budget proposals ahead of a draft budget which will be presented to the county council in December.