IN less than two years, another 65 community support officers will be walking the streets of Worcester.

The extra officers are among an extra 301 earmarked for the West Mercia police area by April 2008 after a national recruitment drive was announced by Home Secretary John Reid on Monday.

CSOs support police officers by carrying out high-visibility foot patrols and tackling anti-social behaviour.

They are given their own beat after an initial seven-week training course at the force's headquarters near Worcester or in Wellington, near Telford, followed by a four-week induction programme on the division on which they will be working.

Supt Sharon Gibbons said: "The CSOs will play an important role in delivering our local policing plans, working with communities to solve problems.

"Being a CSO is more than just a job. It is an opportunity to make a real difference, and is both challenging and rewarding.

"It is ideally suited to those who enjoy working with people, like the outdoor life, and want a career which is exciting and varied."

The new CSOs, who start on a salary of about £14,000 a year, are being funded by the Home Office in the year of recruitment. The Home Office will also pay 75 per cent of the cost in the following year, with the remainder being met by the force.

To register interest in becoming a community support officer, e-mail cso recruit

ment.hq@westmercia.pnn.

police.uk or visit www.

westmercia.police.uk or www.

policecouldyou.co.uk to get more information.