A TEESSIDE community officer has made more than 50 arrests since he started walking his patch.

His crimesheet includes arrests for robberies, burglaries and car theft in the Berwick Hills area of Middlesbrough.

Police community support officer (PCSO) Jonathan Severs, who works from the COPS2 team's police office, is one of the original community officers from the force's first intake in January last year.

Working initially out of Berwick Hills for nine months, he moved to Melbourne House for four months before returning to his usual patch - and picking up where he left off.

The 26-year-old believes the many hours he has spent patrolling the streets has given him an understanding of the community and the people who he serves.

"You get a feel for the area and develop a great street craft, if you like," he said. "I love the work I'm doing.

"The arrests I have been involved in have been for things like anti-social behaviour, town centre begging, and drunk and disorderly behaviour - things that really impact on residents' quality of life."

He added: "We work as a team with police officers and feel the vast range of experience we are getting will help us improve in our work month on month."

COPS2 Inspector Ted Allen said: "The tremendous work carried out by Jonathan and all his colleagues demonstrates the essential role our PCSOs play.

"They are often the eyes and the ears of the police, gathering useful intelligence on criminal activity."