SOUTHEND Council could employ its own PSCOs to crack down on crime following concerns about police cuts.

The authority has set up a task force to investigate the possibility of boosting existing police resources in the borough.

The group, formed by combining two council scrutiny committees, will respond to concerns from residents about so-called “low level crime.”

It comes as Essex Police is under increasing pressure due to a decrease in Government funding.

Mark Flewitt, councillor responsible for public protection, said: “Essex Police have such a huge task in policing cyber and terrorist crime across the county and do a great job. It is therefore understandable that some things such as antisocial behaviour can be considered to be lower level priorities, but they are still really important to people.”

The group of ten councillors will review the issues of concern before reporting back to the Tory administration with proposals to reassure residents.

Brian Ayling, chair of the existing policy and resources scrutiny committee, added: “Councillors are regularly being contacted by residents who are really concerned that there seems to be a lack of police resources in the borough.

“We feel that now is the right time to look at whether the council should be increasing its own resources to deal with lower level enforcement.

“Towns across the UK for example have initiated their own local security networks and many years ago Southend had its own Borough Police Force. There is support across the community for action and enforcement to reduce the levels of crime that affect every day living for the residents and Southend Council is determined to initiate action together with Essex Police to make Southend an even safer place to live.”

The group will also be tasked with looking at how volunteers or PCSOs employed by the council or volunteers could help enforce the law.

Kevin Robinson, chair of Southend’s place scrutiny committee, added: “One of the ideas we want to look at is Police Specials, who have the full powers of a police officer- being used to cover lower level crimes such as antisocial behaviour, irresponsible cycling on footpaths, drug dealing and dog fouling- freeing up Essex Police to concentrate on cyber and high level crime.

“Statistics show an increasing level of crime and the council feels it is important to implement this initiative now.”

During their investigation, the task force will gather evidence from staff at Essex Police, police and crime commissioner Roger Hirst, council officers, the Community Safety Partnership and other local authorities which employ PCSOs.