PCSO numbers to be reduced says crime commissioner

Fifty community support officers (PCSOs) are to be lost over two years, the force commissioner has told the BBC.

However, under a five-year plan, from commissioner Tony Hogg, the number of volunteer special constables will be increased by 200.

The force must reduce spending by £51m by 2015 to meet government targets.

The force currently has about 350 PCSOs and 500 special constables.

'Balance the books'

The government targets meant the force was facing seeing officer numbers shrink to about 2,800 by 2015. Mr Hogg said his plan aimed to keep the number at about 3,000.

"Be in no doubt, I absolutely applaud the work PCSOs do," Mr Hogg told BBC Radio Devon.

"They have now taken the place of officers working in schools and they make that essential contact with the public.

"It was a matter of having public sector savings to find. We have to balance the books."

Special constables have the same policing powers as full-time officers, including those of arrest.