Force ends support officer freeze

The government wants to see 16,000 CSOs in England and Wales

A police force will lift a freeze on the number of Community Support Officers (CSOs) it employs after money talks with a Home Office minister.

Dyfed-Powys Police Authority said it would increase its number of CSOs from 62 to 74 in the next financial year after it was granted additional money.

But it said the settlement remained "disappointing" and it was not receiving its "fair share" of funds.

The Home Office said it had increased funding by 41% across the UK for CSOs.

CSOs do not have the same powers of arrest as regular police officers and their role has been questioned.

But they are being increasingly used to tackle anti-social behaviour and provide a visible police presence on the streets.

Under revised targets the government wants to see 16,000 CSOs patrolling the streets in England and Wales by April next year. This would mean 96 in Dyfed-Powys on a pro-rata basis.

But in December Dyfed-Powys Police Authority said it had not received any extra money for recruitment.

A delegation met with Home Office minister Tony McNulty and he has now indicated that funds for an extra 12 CSOs will be made available.

A spokesperson for the authority said it was disappointing that Dyfed-Powys's "fair share" of 96 CSOs had not been funded, but "it is appreciated that further consideration was given to this issue and some additional funds made available."