Although some police forces are cutting back on numbers of police community support officers, Hertfordshire’s police and crime commissioner has promised that he is committed to keeping the county’s 228 PCSO posts.

David Lloyd said this week: “Protecting local policing is at the heart of my police and crime plan and PCSOs play a vital part in delivering it. The public have told me they greatly value their PCSOs and it is a role we need to keep.”

The force is recruiting at the moment to fill gaps in the ranks with intakes for training next month and in February next year. This will take the actual number of posts to 231, allowing for any leavers in the year ahead.

Supt Andrew McCracken, the force’s head of crime reduction and community safety, said: “In Hertfordshire there is an established and operating model that is keeping the county one of the safest in the country - with neighbourhood policing at the centre.

“PCSOs are an integral part of safer neighbourhood teams. They maintain direct links and build relationships with local communities that reinforces, supports and enhances the enforcement activities that can only be carried out by fully warranted police officers.”