Government investment in neighbourhood policing is a sticking plaster solution to a larger problem, South Yorkshire Police Federation says.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledged to recruit 3,000 more neighbourhood officers and PCSOs over the next year to end a \u201cpostcode lottery\u201d in policing.<\/p>\n
SYP Federation Chair Steve Kent welcomed the move but said the force needed a radical influx of officers to feel the benefit.<\/p>\n
He called for a focus on retaining experienced officers to ensure forces could grow rather than rely on new recruits.<\/p>\n
Steve said: \u201cThese numbers aren\u2019t going to make a massive change to South Yorkshire Police in terms of a fundamental change.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are a force that\u2019s already been performing well in terms of its neighbourhood function and it\u2019s been recognised as such.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve insisted neighbourhood officers were the \u201cbedrock\u201d of policing but said \u201csignificant resources\u201d were needed to make a real impact.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cAt the moment, all forces are doing is treading water and neighbourhood colleagues and response colleagues are having to help each other out in terms of doing their roles.<\/p>\n
\u201cI welcome the funding, but it\u2019s putting a Band-Aid on the problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese words need to be backed up with real radical action in terms of policing resources and numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n