WHILE I am pleased to read that two Community Support Officers have been introduced to patrol our streets, I was somewhat dismayed to learn that they will not have the same police powers as their counterparts in the West Midlands Police.

There, amongst other powers, they have the authority to issue fixed penalty fines to those who drop litter, allow their dogs to foul our streets and ride their cycles on the footpath.

Although I am sure that they will be a welcome sight on our streets and will deter anti-social behaviour, it is a shame that they do not have these powers including those of a traffic warden.

PAUL GITTINS

Town councillor

Lyttleton Road

Bewdley