More bobbies on way (From Warrington Guardian)

More bobbies on way

GRAPPENHALL and Thelwall will be the final areas to benefit from extra bobbies on the beat after the parish council agreed to join a south Warrington scheme.

Stockton Heath and Lymm parish councils have already signed up to a deal that will see Community Support Officers employed across south Warrington in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area.

The councils have joined forces to help fund five CSOs who will split their time throughout the south Warrington area.

Although they will not have the power of arrest, the officers will be uniformed and will provide a much needed police presence in the area.

Clerk of Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council Damian Boddy said the council was happy to get involved after listening to what people wanted.

He added: "The cost of the CSOs will be an extra £2.70 a year on council tax for a typical band D property."

The scheme has already brought a great deal of support, especially with the borough council's local strategic partnership which seeks to encourage joined-up thinking to the borough's problems.

A spokesman said: "This is exactly the sort of project we want to encourage, with different partners joining together to tackle problems."

The CSOs cost £30,000 each with the police paying £10,000. They are expected to start work in October.