HUNDREDS of people have signed a petition to save Somerset’s PCSOs.

Taunton MP Jeremy Browne handed a Save our Somerset PCSOs petition into 10 Downing Street this week in response to Somerset County Council’s plans to slash their budget for community police.

He said: “There is tremendous support for my campaign to protect our local community police from massive budget cuts by Conservative-controlled Somerset County Council.

“I have taken the campaign to the very top and handed the petition into 10 Downing Street.

“Hundreds of Taunton Deane residents signed the petition and many more have joined my internet campaign to save our community police.

“I have already organised a debate in the House of Commons calling on Somerset County Council not to slash their budget for community police.

“There is genuine public anxiety about crime and I am very supportive of the excellent work being done by neighbourhood police teams across Taunton Deane.”

There a 166 PCSOs in Somerset.

Cllr William Wallace, cabinet member for community safety, said: “Somerset County Council is planning to remove 4.5 posts, one of which is in Trading Standards and involved in test purchases. This post will be replaced by Special Constables.

“Of the other 3.5 posts, we are bringing in two extras to work with Polish communities. This will leave a net loss to Somerset of 2.5 PCSOs across the county.”

“This has been approved with the support of Avon & Somerset Police who are in agreement with our plans.

“We are confident that this will not have an impact on community safety across Somerset.

“We’ve had to look at all our services and have had to make tough decisions on our spending. Any decisions, in the end, have meant a zero council tax rise which benefits council taxpayers.”