A WILTSHIRE police initiative to build stronger community links has been criticised by the Police Federation.

The scheme, launched this week, will see 15 community support officers begin patrolling six towns in the county, including Trowbridge, Melksham and Chippenham, after four weeks of intensive training.

Police chiefs hope the move will ease some of the pressure on the force. But Phil Davenport, chairman of the Wiltshire board of the Police Federation, is worried it could lead to policing on the cheap.

He said: "Next year, the funding for them will be reduced and we're concerned they may be kept at the expense of other people in the force.

"We are concerned about their level of training and powers they have been given, but we will have to wait and see how it pans out."

Wiltshire Constabulary have stressed the new officers will compliment existing resources and it will not involve any cost cutting.

Chief Inspector Dave Bennett said: "We are alive to the reality that the demands on all police officers are such that there are many matters they simply do not have the time to tackle.

"The sort of issues we intend police community support officers to address are those that on their own can be minor in nature but can culminate in creating real difficulties and real fears for some people."

The officers will deal with crimes including vandalism and intimidating behaviour.

The new recruits, aged from 19 to 55, will have a range of powers. They include:

issuing fixed penalty notices for a variety of minor offences;

stopping and searching vehicles and belongings in areas authorised under the Terrorism Act 2000;

asking for the name and address of suspects;

seizing vehicles used to cause alarm;

confiscating alcohol from underage drinkers.

Community support officers work full-time, and are paid £15,800 a year. The uniformed offices will carry radios and have access to bicycles and a car.

Chief Insp Bennett said: "They will act as the eyes and ears of their police colleagues, observing and reporting instances occurring during their patrols.

"They will support our local community policing teams by working in support of a designated beat officer or team."

Wiltshire Police have received Home Office funding for the new posts, which follow schemes adopted in Swindon and London. Police PR manager Elizabeth Marginson said: "There is a chance we could take on more community support officers in the future, possibly working with local authorities."

Julie Higdon, a former Marie Curie nurse, is one of four community support officers who will be working in Trowbridge.

She said: "I just want to put something back into the community and make a difference. It's all about having a greater visible presence."