CLEVELAND police this week learned its bid for 40 community support officers had been successful.

The new officers are to target areas with anti-social problems. However, they will not be able to detain offenders, unlike some of their counterparts elsewhere.

The news coincided with a debate over a £1.8m shortfall in next year's Cleveland police authority budget. It said pension costs were predicted to increase by £2m next year. It suggested raising the budget by almost £6m through council tax revenue - bringing next year's total police spending to over £101m.

Regarding the 40 new support officers, the Home Office gave Cleveland police the go-ahead for a recruitment campaign this week. The new officers could be in their posts as early as January.

Details of their exact roles were still being established. Cleveland police said they would provide a uniformed, highly-visible presence in priority areas. Their role would complement work undertaken by regular police officers.

Asstistant chief constable Bryan Bell said: "We welcome this successful bid. The new officers will add to the police family of regular officers, special constabulary and support staff, and help forge links with neighbourhood wardens employed by some local authorities.

"At this stage, it is not proposed that these new Cleveland officers will have powers of detention. However, we will be looking for them to make the maximum impact, in terms of targeting anti-social behaviour and providing public reassurance. This can only reduce crime and the fear of crime."

Regarding the extra spending, Coun David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, called on Cleveland police authority to stringently examine all police costs.

"This is disturbing news for council taxpayers. It seems the police authority faces another cash crisis. I appreciate it faces funding problems from Home Office allocations, and we will be only too happy to add our voice to any representations made to the Home Secretary.

"However, the Home Office will not sign cheques at the drop of a hat. It will want to see evidence that the authority has attempted to save money and make efficiencies. I and many colleagues are not convinced this has been adequately demonstrated.

"Redcar and Cleveland Council has avoided any council tax rise for the last two years, while at the same time putting cash back into front-line services. We hope we can do the same in our next budget."

Coun Walsh asked:

* Had senior management costs at the Ladgate Lane police HQ been examined or reduced?

* Were police officers able to get out on the beat through employing civilian staff for paperwork?

* Could overheads be reduced through working more closely with other public and private-sector bodies?

* Had best value report recommendations been implemented?

Coun Walsh was due to meet the chief constable and Coun Ken Walker, police authority chairman, for talks