Not quite the truth is it Mick?

A headline on Wales Online today states

“Hundreds of new community support officers to be recruited throughout Wales.”

This is of course welcome.  However, the following press release which comes from Pontypridd AM Mick Antoniw – or Slick Antoniw as we like to affectionately refer to him!  - starts off with a statement that  “HUNDREDS of new ‘street bobbies’ may be on duty in Wales by Christmas.”

Yet this is not backed up by the rest of the story, all of which I am guessing was penned by a member of his staff.   In it he refers to a letter from Carl Sargeant, Minister for Local Government in response to a question as to when the officers will be in place.

In a letter, Mr Sargeant told him: “We are currently in discussions with Welsh police forces about the implementation of the PCSO commitment.

“But I expect the roll out of the additional PCSOs to begin in April 2012.

“I am also hopeful that a small number may be in place in some force areas by Christmas 2011, but this will depend on the recruitment procedures of the four Welsh police forces

Now how on earth does this equate to ‘hundreds’ on the streets by Christmas?  Although to be fair he doesn’t say which Christmas.

Still, facts have never been a strong point with the Labour party around here.  It is a shame though that the press reports them as such.