A TEAM of 40 new community support officers will be working alongside police on Teesside by early next year.

They will provide a high visibility uniformed patrol to reduce crime, fear of crime and antisocial behaviour following a £300,000 grant from the Home Office.

They will be given stab vests and training in how to defend themselves before being deployed into well-known crime hotspots.

However, they will not be given handcuffs, CS spray or batons, although they will be in contact with regular officers.

The chairman of the Cleveland Police Authority, Councilor Ken Walker, said: "I am sure the public and police officers working in the community will be delighted to have additional support to tackle the kind of issues which directly affect people's lives.

"For example, they will help deal with minor incidents, visiting victims of crime and develop links within the areas where they will be working.

"I believe the public will be reassured that, because the community support officers will be part of the police 'family', they will be given comprehensive training and expected to follow the highest standards of conduct."

The new recruits will earn about £15,000 a year.

Chief Constable Barry Shaw told Cleveland Police Authority yesterday that the officers would have a uniform which would make them distinguishable from regular officers and easily recognised by the public.

This will include a silver band on headgear instead of a chequered band, royal blue epaulettes bearing their title, which is also to be emblazoned on badges and outer garments.

Cleveland Police are one of 27 forces across the country to pilot the scheme and funding will continue until 2006.

Coun Walker added: "As soon as the Government announced it was intending to pilot community support officers, the authority and the force moved quickly to put in our bid and we were very pleased when the Home Office gave us the go-ahead.

"Money has been made available to ensure we have the officers recruited, trained and on duty by March."