Police Community Support Officers in the West Midlands are still not being provided with stab-proof vests for street patrols, an MP has claimed.
Labour’s Tom Watson (West Bromwich East) compared their plight with police dogs in other forces who he claimed were entitled to the body armour.
He said West Midlands Police was one of only two forces in the country that refused to equip PCSOs with stab-proof vests.
During question time in the Commons, Mr Watson said: “Police dogs in Yorkshire are entitled to stab-proof vests, yet PCSOs in West Bromwich are not.”
He asked Police Minister David Hanson: “Will you remind the chief constable of West Midlands Police that the region is now only one of two police authorities that refuse to issue anti-stab vests to PCSOs.
Mr Hanson replied: “You will know that the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is currently re-examining the issue.
“I know the Home Secretary will continue to look at this and I will draw your remarks to the attention of the chief constable.”
Last year Mr Watson obtained figures showing PCSOs in the West Midlands had been assaulted 180 times over a three-year period.
