I have to respond to the most disrespectful letter about Police Community Support Officers (PSCOs) from Paul-John Harris (April 19).
Firstly, PCSOs are funded by Sussex Police Authority and not by Brighton and Hove City Council.
In Brighton and Hove they fulfil an invaluable role in providing reassurance in addressing quality of life issues, which are so important to the people of this city.
This includes prostitutes' cards in telephone boxes, street begging and street drinking which, quite rightly, are issues that impact dramatically on the residents of Brighton and Hove.
These are not "beat bobbies" or policing on the cheap. The massive recruitment drive being undertaken by all forces means there are insufficient training places to recruit and train the increasing numbers of police officers we wish to see in Sussex.
In that climate we are fortunate to have PCSOs supplementing the work of the police by providing a constant and high visibility presence on the streets and, in particular, dealing with the issues that are important to the people of this city.
Regrettably, Mr Harris's letter has trivialised the important contribution made by these officers.
-Paul Curtis, Police commander for Brighton and Hove
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