THERE will be two new faces on the streets of Dodington and Yate thanks to a new policing scheme.

Two Police Community Support Officers have been employed by Sodbury Police to increase police presence on the streets in a bid to reduce crime.

The PCSOs have already begun their training and will be out on duty from April 11.

An additional PCSO will also be sent to patrol areas of Thornbury.

Acting Inspector Andy McIlrath told the Gazette: "The PCSOs will address a gap in service provision.

"Because of their powers and responsibilities, police officers inevitably get drawn off to deal with other matters, often at the expense of high-visibility patrols."

The officers, who are all live locally, will wear distinctive, predominantly blue, uniforms and will conduct high-profile patrols based on the principles of "presence, prevent and protect."

Last year the Gazette reported that an increase in Police Community Support Officers and mounting costs were contributing to possible cuts in manpower and that beat bobbies would be replaced in favour of the PCSOs.

Despite these early reservations Sgt McIlrath told the Gazette the new additions would supplement bobbies on the beat who would now have more time to tackle bigger crimes.

"PCSOs are not replacements for police officers but are an additional resource which can perform some of the tasks that do not require police powers but that nevertheless abstract officers from more appropriate duties," he said.

Police Community Support Officers have already been successfully active in other areas of South Gloucestershire for a year and a half.

PCSO manager Jeanette Aston said: "The PCSOs main purpose is to build confidence within the communities where they work by reducing crime and the fear of crime, whilst providing an essential back-up for police officers."