A NORTH police force is bidding for scores of extra community support officers (CSOs) to ease the workload of beat officers.
Durham Constabulary has applied to the Home Office for almost £1m to recruit a further 60 CSOs, who would be deployed across the county together with the existing 41.
If successful, one important change will see the new appointments and existing CSOs given permanent contracts.
The £1m would fund two financial years, after which the force would take over the salary costs.
The extra CSOs will be used to boost the force's ongoing StreetSafe campaign and provide a strong police presence in the community.
If the bid is successful, recruitment will begin almost immediately, and the first 20 officers are expected to start their six-week training programme in February.
The force said all 60 CSOs should be on patrol by May. A decision on the bid is expected by early next month.
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