Unison raises PCSO stab vest fears
Unison has raised fears that some of the PCSOs in the West Midlands feel unsafe because they have not been issued with protective stab vests.
Unison has raised fears that some of the PCSOs in the West Midlands feel unsafe because they have not been issued with protective stab vests.
The union said PCSOs in the Warwickshire, Staffordshire and West Mercia forces did get body armour, whereas those in the West Midlands force didnt receive the protection.
West Midlands Branch Secretary of Unison, Annette Mansell-Green of Unison, told Police Professional: “PCSOs have approached us because they feel unsafe at work.
We did a survey last year of our PCSO members with this issue in mind and it transpired that roughly 80 per cent of them were in favour of having stab proof vests, and that they didnt feel safe without them.
She stated that the chief constable of the force had said to her, because he sees their role as non-confrontational, stab proof vests would change the perception of PCSOs”.
Annette Mansell-Green disagrees. She believes their role is only non-confrontational on paper. She said that in reality, the city streets of the West Midlands do pose confrontational dangers.
PCSOs have the power to confiscate alcohol and tobacco, issue fixed penalty notices for minor offences and approach people who behave in an anti-social manner. These situations could turn violent, she said.
“The officers may have a non-confrontational role, but members of the public don`t distinguish them from full-time police officers and they confront PCSOs. They are viewed as being part of the police.”
More recently, explained Annette Mansell-Green, some PCSOs have explored the possibility of procuring their own protective vests, and one in particular, upon asking the force if he would be allowed to wear it, was told he could be disciplined for wearing non-regulation uniform.
She added that nationally, the majority of forces issue stab vests and she has no idea why West Midlands are the only local force within the region not to have the protection.
West Midlands Police said the PCSO role meant they did not need the vests. A spokeswoman for the force said: “The role of PCSOs is to primarily provide reassurance, help prevent offences and reduce the fear of crime.
“They are not deployed to confrontational incidents. The number of assaults on PCSOs is extremely low which demonstrates they are working within their remit.”