THOUSANDS of residents could be paying double for PCSOs in an “unfair waste of time”, it has been claimed.

Mistley, Manningtree and Lawford scrapped their two PCSOs in 2014 after a match-funding scheme with Essex Police ended.

Lawford lowered its council precept to suit, but Manningtree and Mistley did not.

The idea of funding one or two PCSOs for the three parishes is being considered again after crime rose a rise in crime in the district by 16 per cent in July.

It is thought the cost of a PCSO, including training, would be about £36,000, which could see council precepts raised to cover the cost.

But one resident, who does not want to be named, said: “Why would anyone wish to pay twice?

“We agreed to give the parish councils extra money only for them to keep taking the money when that service stopped.

“I agree that PCSOs are a waste of time, as per Carlo Guglielmi’s comments, and they equate to no more than a member of the public in uniform.

“But should the parish councils decide they are the answer, Mistley Parish Council need to remember they are already in receipt of extra funding and should not and cannot expect the residents to shoulder further expense and burden for a second time.”

She added: “Extra charges for households, especially the elderly (fixed income) and those with young families, that are struggling to pay bills and, already pay for policing of our streets in their standard taxation.”

The Mistley resident also raised concerns about PCSOs being sent to work in other towns and villages despite being funded by Mistley, Manningtree and Lawford taxpayers.

She said: “The scheme’s aim would be for the area of the three parishes to have visible officers on our streets, not someone else’s streets.”

Talks over the idea of funding PCSOs are in an early stage, with the three parishes set to discuss the ongoing issue at their next council meetings.