By The Local Democracy Reporter ldreporter@post.com
UNISON Leicestershire Police has issued a stark warning against proposals to expand non-police foot patrols across the region, claiming that the move risks creating a "two-tier system" of public safety. In a detailed statement released on May 7th, 2026, the union argued that shifting community safety responsibilities toward private or non-warranted staff is a "diluted substitute" for professional neighborhood policing that could leave both the public and workers vulnerable.
The heart of the union’s objection lies in the unique legal and professional framework that governs sworn police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). UNISON contends that these roles provide a level of accountability, specialist training in conflict resolution, and legal powers that simply cannot be replicated by private contractors. By moving toward alternative models, the union fears a future where fully trained officers are pulled into reactive work, leaving visible patrols to lower-paid staff who lack the authority to enforce the law or provide adequate safeguarding.
Beyond the impact on community trust, the union expressed serious concerns for the safety of the workers themselves. There is a growing fear that staff in these "quasi-policing" roles may find their responsibilities drifting into dangerous territory, such as dealing with violent confrontation or complex anti-social behavior, without the necessary legal protections or training. UNISON maintains that this shift is not a response to a lack of need for policing, but rather a symptom of services being chronically under-resourced and under pressure.
Ultimately, the union is calling for a halt to these proposals in favour of renewed investment in traditional neighborhood policing teams across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. They are demanding full consultation with trade unions and an independent evaluation of any pilot schemes before changes are implemented. As the debate over police visibility continues, UNISON’s message remains clear: public safety cannot be outsourced to the lowest bidder, and the communities they serve deserve the "gold standard" of accountable, professional policing.
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