COUNCILLOR Gavin Heathcote has described the decision to cut the ‘mini-police’ programme in Peasedown St John as ‘plain mean’.

Gavin Heathcote (Independent) has long been a supporter of the initiative, which has seen more than 100 youngsters develop new life skills and build their self-esteem since it was launched five years ago.

The ‘mini police’ is an innovative police engagement programme delivered in schools with the support of Avon and and Somerset Police and its Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). The scheme provides a fun and interactive way to introduce children to a positive experience of policing and to get them involved in the local community.

Avon and Somerset Police has recently announced that all ‘mini-police’ programmes will be cut from 12 months to 9 weeks.

Gavin said: “This is terrible news. I know so many children in Peasedown St John who have benefited from taking part. Not only is the course being cut, in terms of delivery time, by an incredible 80 per cent, but the children are having their uniforms and extra-curricular trips taken away, too.”

The initiative has been running successfully at Peasedown St John Primary School for the past five years with children in Year 5. Children must apply and be interviewed for the role and then attend regular training sessions led by the PCSOs.

Topics covered include traffic and speed awareness with a visit from the local police speed enforcement team, and first aid training. Up until recently, they were each given a uniform.

Cllr Gavin Heathcote says these changes have been implemented since the new Labour Police and Crime Commissioner took office.

He added: “These cuts to the ‘mini-police’ are just plain mean. I completely understand that the new Labour government and the Labour Police Commissioner need to make cuts to services, but to impose these on services for children is a step too far.”

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody was elected in May. The PCC is responsible for setting the priorities and budget for the police, guiding how resources are used, and making sure the needs and concerns of the community are addressed.

Cllr Heathcote has written to the new commissioner to ask for a meeting and to request that the cuts to the mini-police are reversed.

The Midsomer Norton and Radstock Journal has approached Avon and Somerset Police for a comment.