SWINDON is to have about seven police community support officers.

The officers, to be appointed some time during the current financial year, will work alongside the regular force to help tackle what the Government describes as low-level crime and anti-social behaviour.

They are classed not as police officers but as civilian support staff.

They will be among more than 1,200 such officers across the country, funded by £41 million from the home office.

Wiltshire's share of that sum is £80,000, enough to provide 10 new CSOs.

Police spokesman Graham Chivers declined to be drawn on the precise number set aside for Swindon, but did say that more than half of the new officers would come to the town.

Wiltshire already has 15 CSOs.

Deployed in April, they patrol Chip-penham, Devizes, Melksham, Trow-bridge, Amesbury and Salisbury.

Mr Chivers said: "The reason why none of the first 15 went to Swindon was because the new system of neighbourhood street wardens had just been started and it was felt that the general public would become confused with two similar projects started at roughly the same time."

Swindon's street wardens are council employees whose role also includes tackling anti-social behaviour such as vandalism and simply deterring it by their presence.

They began patrolling the streets of Parks and Walcot last June, and surveys of local people have shown that they have been given a positive reception.

The prospect of Swindon's new CSOs was welcomed by South Swindon MP Julia Drown.

She said: "My constituents make it clear they want to see more done to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

"By adding to the work of the street wardens and the police, the community support officers can get out the message that anti-social and criminal behaviour will be tackled.

"This should have a direct impact on the quality of life in Swindon."

Announcing the new funding, Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "CSOs complement the work of police officers.

"They focus on low-level crime and anti-social nuisance behaviour, which all too often undermine public confidence and make people's lives a misery."

Physical presence reduces the fear of crime

THE crimefighting street wardens already patrolling Parks and Walcot have been given the task of reducing the level of offences such as burglary and vandalism and acting as the eyes and ears of the community when liaising with the police.

As well as reducing crime, they aim to reduce the fear of crime by being a visible presence in the community and promote socially-acceptable behaviour.

One warden, Julie Broad, 57, joined the scheme in May last year after working as a receptionist for a taxi firm for 20 years.

She told the Evening Advertiser earlier this year: "I've lived in the area for seven years and seen it go downhill due to graffiti and litter, among other problems.

"Now I can actually do something about it."