POLICE FUNDING AND THE EAST MIDLANDS SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIT

That this House notes with concern the funding gap experienced by British police forces; further notes that centralised funding of police community support officers will run out in 2009; believes that police community support officers provide a valuable service beyond conventional police duties but notes that they add extra costs to forces; considers that there should be continued centralised funding for these officers; acknowledges the excellent work of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit in tackling serious crime; highlights that funding for this collaborative project will soon end; and calls on the Government to encourage police forces to work together by guaranteeing the financial support for such units.