Wiltshire police are set to receive a share of a £19 million fund set aside to introduce Community Support Officers.

The constabulary has been awarded more than £130,000, which will see 15 CSOs on our streets within months.

Home Secretary David Blunkett announced the recruitment drive to increase the visibility of officers on the beat and to tackle anti- social behaviour.

Wiltshire Constabulary has not yet announced where the officers will be based.

Steve Coxhead, spokesman for Wiltshire Police, said: "The £131,666 has been allotted to Wiltshire for 15 CSOs. The exact locations have not been decided yet but the officers will be shared equally among the three police divisions in the county."

CSOs are a key part of the Police Reform programme. They will be police authority employees who will provide a highly visible policing presence on streets and in neighbourhoods.

The Police Reform Act allows chief officers to give them limited powers to deal with anti-social behaviour and disorder.

www.policereform.co.uk