YOUNGSTERS tempted to play truant from school will have to think twice after two police community support officers (PCSOs) were assigned to tackle the problem.

Hayley Morrison and Mark Howell are two of five PCSOs hitting the streets in Darlington this week.

The pair, who work on a job-share basis, have been asked to work with five of the town's primary schools in an effort to reduce the risk of truanting.

They will work with Corporation Road, Skerne Park, Gurney Pease, Red Hall and Springfield primary schools.

The other new recruits are Gemma Smith, who will cover the North Road area; and Preet Singh and Michael Ableson, who will cover the east end of the town.

Neighbourhood inspector Mick Button said it was unusual for such a large cohort of PCSOs to be appointed in one go.

He said: "We had not recruited any body for quite a while, and so we have got five PCSOs in one go.

"They are all very keen to slot into their roles and are currently going through a programme of coaching and mentoring, to show them the area and give them some guidance.

"During their first three or four weeks, they will be attached to experienced PCSOs and PCs, who will take them out with them and show them the ropes."

With the new recruits now in post, having filled previously vacant roles, there are now 23 PCSOs covering Darlington.

Insp Button said there was potentially more PCSO recruitment on the horizon, particularly with the force keen to recruit regular police officers, some of whom could be drawn from the existing PCSO ranks.