DORSET Police will not replace community safety accredited officers (CSAS) if the council cuts funding.
A senior police officer has warned that cutting the council-funded officers will result in a rise in anti-social behaviour and crime.
In a bid to save costs, BCP Council is looking to axe most of the officers who patrol Poole, Christchurch and Boscombe town centres, subject to a consultation and approval.
However, officers would remain in Bournemouth town centre due to public concern over an apparent rise in anti-social behaviour and crime.
Speaking at a council scrutiny meeting, chief superintendent Heather Dixey of Dorset Police, said: “The question asked is whether we recognise that anti-social behaviour may rise in these areas, I’d say that is a risk without doubt.
Read more: Some BCP Council key services could be cut back next year
“Community safety accredited officers provide a really good service to our communities.
“They are key to identifying ASB in its early stages and they do a lot of work around civil orders and community protection notices that support further down the line criminal offences.
“Removing them from some of those key areas could have an impact.
“From a policing perspective, I have to be really clear that we couldn’t step into that void; we would not have the capacity to be able to undertake that work because of the cost challenge facing other public sector services.”
CI Dixey added that residents may be led to believe “some areas are seen as less important than others” with the sole focus being on Bournemouth town centre for CSAS.
She suggested this would have to be managed “very sensitively” adding, that "it would be a challenge and we would see a rise in some places".
However, Kelly Ansell, director of housing and communities at BCP Council, said there is money available from the Department of Transport to help fund CSAS around bus stations.
This, she said, can be used around Poole’s bus station, which often faces issues with ASB and crime, as well as Boscombe Bus Station.
By cutting the CSAS scheme in the three town centres, the council has said it would save £270,000 a year.
The public can share their views on the council website as part of a consultation ending on December 20.
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