A TOWN council is hoping to provide police community support officers with a mobile phone again after they were stripped of theirs by the police force.

Community officers covering Frinton and Walton have always carried a shared phone provided by the police.

But the force recently withdrewmobiles from all its PCSOs.

Frinton and Walton Town Council, which pays £180,000 a year to fully fund six PCSOs for the area, hit out at the move.

The council is now looking to equip its officers with a replacement phone and is hoping to be able to buy the previously used PCSO number from the police.

Mayor JackRobertson said: “I have spoken to the acting Chief Inspector Russ Cole and asked if the phones are going, can we buy that number?

“It has been publicised everywhere and given to countless residents as the go-to number when they need the help of our PCSOs.

“The chief inspector talks a good talk, but he doesn’t answermany questions. I haven’t been given an answer yet.

“He is in a difficult position. He is stuck between a rock and a hard place because of the cuts ordered by those above him.”

Councillors hope to provide the PCSOs with a mobile phone regardless of the phone number.

Mr Cole said removing the mobile phones was to ensure the police provided amore consistent response through the 101 switchboard and to allow officers to concentrate on more serious crime.

Great Bentley Parish Council has also complained to the police after PCSO phones were withdrawn.