NEW-style law enforcers are to take to the streets of County Durham in the autumn.
The Home Office has agreed to pay £128,000 - half the cost of appointing 25 community safety officers (CSOs) covering Chester-le-Street, Derwentside, Durham City and Sedgefield.
The CSOs will have the power of citizen's arrest if they witness a crime, can demand personal details and issue on-the-spot fines for anti-social behaviour.
They will tackle nuisance problems such as drunkeness, graffiti and abandoned vehicles.
Ten CSOs have been patrolling the streets of Darlington since the end of January. Many of the new officers are expected to be recruited from the county's body of traffic wardens.
Acting Assistant Chief Constable Paul Tinkler said the CSOs would complement the record number of police officers on the beat.
"We know how nuisance behaviour and low-level crime blights the lives of ordinary decent people.
"I am sure the sight of uniformed CSOs on the streets will, through their increased visibility, offer the public extra reassurance and underline our determination to rid the streets of the yob culture.
"The CSOs will work directly alongside police and community leaders to identify problems, find solutions and reduce fear of crime."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article