EAST Cleveland's first civilian patrols started pounding the streets yesterday.

The six newly-appointed police community support officers (Pcsos) met Redcar MP Vera Baird and police commander Adrian Roberts on their first round.

The Pcsos have completed a three-week training course and will spend a week putting what they've learnt into practice.

The officers will be managed by the district commander and will have the power to issue penalty tickets for dog fouling, litter offences and riding cycles on footpaths as well as being able to seize alcohol and cigarettes from young people.

There will be two Pcsos posted to Eston, two to South Bank and two to East Cleveland, with a further two to be posted to Redcar by April 1. It is hoped there will be a team of 23 Pcsos operating in the district by April, next year.

Chief Superintendent Adrian Roberts, district commander of Langbaurgh police division, said: "The Pcsos will be working within local communities and will provide a highly visible, uniformed presence to tackle nuisance crime and anti-social behaviour throughout the district. They will not replace pol-ice officers but will be an additional resource. They will work alongside community policing teams, providing public reassurance and reducing crime.

"They will be additional eyes and ears on the streets who can work directly with the public and assist police officers in their daily tasks."

Mrs Baird said: "This is a clear devolution of policing power but it is not policing on the cheap. The patrol officers will support the police."