FEARS have been raised that allowing volunteers to take the place of full-time officers in Thames Valley Police could damage policing.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith was speaking out after a freedom of information request revealed that police service volunteers (PSVs) gave up more than 70,000 hours of their time in a 12-month period prior to October last year – more than twice as many as the next force, Surrey.

Mr Smith said of Home Secretary Theresa May’s proposal to give volunteers additional powers: “It would be a great mistake to try to convince the public that police cuts cannot be damaging because it can be made up by volunteers.”

In September the Home Secretary proposed giving volunteers additional powers to act as police community support officers (PCSOs). This could allow them to help more with investigations and take on extra jobs currently done by police officers.

Top News

Mr Smith said: “In any area of social or community life the contribution of volunteers is invaluable.

“But it would not be right to give volunteers the same responsibilities and powers as a police officer except in the case of special constables with special training.

“The fact of the matter is volunteers cannot be an adequate substitute for the very tough job police officers do.”

Thames Valley Police is currently recruiting volunteers for things such as managing evidence, tackling rural crime and training police dogs.

There are currently about 530 PSVs in Thames Valley Police.

The force also currently has more than 600 special constables – volunteer police officers with the full powers of a paid constable.

Thames Valley Police Federation spokesman Graham Smith said he was also concerned.

He said: “I have got no issue if volunteers are additional to police officers or staff and help them do their job more effectively.

“It is when they are used as a replacement for those roles that it becomes an issue.

“I totally disagree that we should enable normal members of the public to be given coercive powers.

“I do not mind members of the public helping out in their spare time but I cannot accept them replacing the job of a police officer.

“Coercive power should only lie with constables – it should never lie with anyone else.”

Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Francis Habgood said: “If introduced, we will look at how volunteer PCSOs might add value in Thames Valley but we have no plans to introduce them at this stage.”

Only 10 forces from the 30 in England and Wales who received the freedom of information request by trade union Unison gave information on how many hours their PSVs worked.

Surrey Police, which was second in the table of those that responded, racked up 32,000 volunteer hours.

Martin Scarrott from Barton said he did not think volunteers were currently helping the police fight crime.

The 50-year-old has been a victim three years in a row after vandals smashed Christmas lights at his North Way home.

He said: “It seems like there are not that many police around here.

“Volunteers walking around and keeping an eye out would be good rather than volunteers in offices.

“I think they should use volunteers more efficiently for communities.

“If they are using volunteers at the moment then why are they not getting more bobbies out on the beat?”

A greater range of roles could become available if the Home Secretary’s proposals go ahead.

Ms May said powers such as stop-and-search would remain with officers but suggested other ‘coercive’ powers, such as compelling someone to give their address, could potentially be given to volunteers.

Police volunteer Ron Hollis has given up his time with the force for 12 years and said he felt volunteers could strengthen policing in communities.

The 77-year-old said: “I worked overseas for most of my life and wanted to give something back.

“One of the jobs I do is working behind the counter at Eynsham police information centre and I do support and administration.

“Basically I can help people who come into the centre.

“Volunteers have a lot of community knowledge and we know a lot of people locally.

“We take a lot of pressure off frontline officers and help them fight crime.”

Thames Valley Police spokesman Gareth Ford-Lloyd said: “There are dedicated teams of volunteers across the force that support regular officers and police staff by undertaking specific tasks.

“Volunteering builds important links between the police and communities and provides opportunities for individuals to make a positive contribution to their local area.”

VOLUNTEER ROLES

  • Evidence management volunteer – Helping with administration in the evidence management unit.
  • Police information point volunteer – Opening police offices and information points.
  • Cadet leader volunteer – Helping to run police cadet sessions and supporting cadets at events and community activities.
  • Neighbourhood policing volunteer – Helping to make bids for cadet and other youth activities and coordinating volunteering from communities and businesses.
  • Vehicle workshop volunteer – Assisting with day-to-day administration tasks in vehicle workshops.
  • Administration volunteer – Helping with administration.
  • Meeting and greeting volunteer – Welcoming new students and visitors to the training department.
  • Classroom support volunteer – Managing classrooms and classroom materials at the training department.
  • Rural crime volunteer – Helping the rural crime team with administration and advising rural businesses on crime prevention.
  • Post room volunteer – Sorting and preparing post for collection.
  • Puppy development volunteer – Caring for and providing basic training for a puppy between eight weeks old and 14 months old.
  • Mounted section volunteer – Tidying and cleaning up of the mounted section’s yard, stable area and vehicles.