Oliver has expressed his disappointment that Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors at Hertsmere Borough Council have voted to defund Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

With a Labour-Liberal Cabinet now in place following the recent local elections, one of their first decisions since coming to power has been to remove the £130,700-a-year fund which paid for additional PCSOs in the area.

Hertsmere was previously able to have 7 additional PCSOs through the fund, above the number the constabulary would normally assign, bringing the total to 22. The Cabinet have said they will now instead deploy council enforcement officers.

Oliver said:

‘It is very disappointing that the new Labour-Liberal Democrat Cabinet have defunded our trusted PCSOs. 

‘I know how supportive my constituents are of their local PCSOs, who do so much for community safety. They and I are now worried there will be a less visible presence of police in the area. 

‘This is a terrible first move and I hope it is not a sign of things to come. Going forward your Conservative councillors and I will continue to hold this new Labour-Lib Dem administration to account to ensure we keep Hertsmere a safe place to live and work.’