CONSERVATIVES AT COUNTY HALL SLAM LIB DEMS FOR SPREADING FEAR

Lib Dem Councillors and MPs have been accused of increasing Somerset residents' fear of crime by suggesting that Somerset County Council plans to make cuts to front-line policing.

Cabinet Member for Community Safety, William Wallace, said, "I am saddened by the Lib Dems' irresponsible attitude to this matter. Somerset has a low level of crime but regrettably a disproportionately high level of the fear of crime. The Lib Dems' attempt to score political points by peddling inaccuracies does nothing to help the residents of Somerset feel safer in their homes. It is important for our residents to know that Avon & Somerset Police are responsible for front-line policing, something that is not within the remit of PCSOs. However, despite assertions to the contrary, we remain committed to providing support for PCSOs as we recognise that they make a valuable contribution to addressing Council priorities.''

He continued, "It is only right and proper that we look at every option when we are drafting the County Council's budget for the coming years, and we have been consulting with our colleagues in the Police and District Councils as part of that process. However I must stress that no decision has yet been made on the funding for PCSOs. There will be tough choices ahead in the current economic climate but we are working hard with our partners to ensure that the residents of Somerset are well served despite budgets obviously being stretched more than ever before.''

Councillor Wallace concluded, "I was hoping that we would be able to have a constructive dialogue with the Lib Dems during the budget-setting process. For the good of Somerset we have shared some of our thoughts with them. So I am very disappointed - but sadly not surprised - that they have chosen instead to try and score political points when surely even they must have realised their irresponsible comments would worry many of the elderly and vulnerable in our County.''

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