Do you want to make a difference? (From Warrington Guardian)

Do you want to make a difference?

A MAJOR recruitment campaign has been launched to put more community support officers on our streets.

Cheshire Police is determined to meet Government targets and train up more than 100 new CSOs by March, 2007.

So what attracts normal, everyday people to become the public face of the Force's new, high-visibility community policing?

We spoke to a CSO based in Widnes to find out.

"It's the variety of the job I love," says Paul Mines, a 36-year-old former engineer from Prescott, who covers Farnworth in his role as part of the Widnes community action team.

"I've been a CSO for 12 months now and in that time I've encountered all kinds of incidents and met all kinds of people."

Paul became a full-time, salaried CSO having been a volunteer Special Constable in his spare time since he was 23.

"I have more time to get involved in resolving community issues.

"Although I actually have fewer powers now (CSOs can only detain offenders, not arrest them), I can deal with situations in other ways but can always call on my colleagues if necessary to make an arrest," he says.

"Having been a Special Constable beforehand, I have built up 14 years knowledge of the geography of Widnes, and know who the residents are and also who the crooks are!

"I get a good reaction from the public when they see me out and about and I spend a lot of time talking to people about issues in their neighbourhood and how we can help resolve them."

It's not all just walking and talking though.

In March, Paul had to quickly help close a flooded road and evacuate the public after the Mersey burst its banks.

And since he went full-time, he's also had to trace a pair of lost youngsters from Halton View who took the wrong exit out of Victoria Park.

"They were really pleased to be home," he says.

Community support officers generally work alternating, 10-hour shifts, with the aim of providing a high-visibility, uniformed presence across Widnes during the day and in the evenings.

Before taking to the streets they undergo a four-week training course in the classroom and then shadow experienced officers for a further five weeks.

If you would like to find out more about the work of CSOs, visit policecouldyou.co.uk or call 0845-600 0925.