Civilian police plans are shelved

Civilians were to be hired as police and community support officers (PCSOs)

A plan to hire civilians as police and community support officers in NI is being shelved over a lack of funding.

The PSNI has a three-year budget gap after they were given £100m less than requested in the government's comprehensive spending review.

It was hoped such officers would help tackle petty crime and anti-social behaviour.

Dolores Kelly, SDLP, said the news would have a "severe impact on the delivery of first-class policing".

"There is a real need for the Policing Board and the PSNI to make clear that PCSOs are an integral part of the future of policing in the north, not an afterthought, or an optional add-on," said the Policing Board member.

"However, there should be no need to bring another business case forward to the British Government when the argument has already been won and the project has received approval.

"It does not seem proper for the government on one hand to approve the project, but yet, at the same time, fail to allocate adequate funding to make the scheme a reality."

'Dissident threat'

In a statement, the Northern Ireland Office said the PSNI would spend £1.1bn this year and the next two years.

"Whilst this is a generous settlement when compared to other UK Police Forces, priorities will still need to be determined by the Policing Board on the most effective way to deploy these resources," it said.

"The public have expressed a high level of confidence in the police and ministers have no doubt that the PSNI will continue to provide a top quality service dealing with neighbourhood and organised crime as well as the remaining dissident threat."

In February 2006, the Policing Board agreed in principle to the recruitment of PCSOs.

Their key role is to provide a high visibility and reassurance to communities. At that stage it was thought the necessary legislation would be in place by March 2007.