A SENIOR police officer has defended the introduction of community support officers on Teesside.

Forty support officers have been recruited and the first group of 20 will start a three-week training course towards the end of this month.

They will tackle nuisance crime and anti-social behaviour, and will have the power to issue penalty tickets for dog fouling, litter offences and riding a cycle on the pavement.

They will also be able to confiscate alcohol and cigarettes from youngsters.

In certain circumstances they will have the power to remove or seize vehicles.

Inspector Graham Strange, who is managing the project on behalf of Cleveland Police said: "Police community support officers will not replace police officers. They are an additional resource, managed by local district commanders to work alongside community policing teams in reducing crime and the fear of crime.

"Their presence will free up time for operational officers to tackle crime.''

He added: "They will be additional eyes and ears on the streets who can report to, and support, police officers in their daily tasks. The powers designated by the chief constable will help them deal effectively with some of the public nuisance problems which cause distress to many members of the community."

Cleveland is one of 26 forces nationally to receive funding for the community support officers. Police say there has been an excellent response from a broad section of people, but there are still vacancies.

Police community support officers only have the power of citizen's arrest. Their starting pay is £13,563 a year, but there will be additional shift allow-ances. After six months, pay should rise to £14,793, comparable with a probationary police officer's starting pay.