CONTROVERSIAL Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) will be patrolling the streets of Hampshire next month.

Currently 26 recruits are preparing up for their new role at the police training headquarters at Netley.

They will deal with low level antisocial behaviour and are aimed at providing a reassuring presence on the streets.

One officer, funded by the Welcome Break company, will be based at the Fleet services on the M3.

The other 25, who have have been funded by central government, will be posted around Hampshire

Six of the officers will be based in Southampton and four in the central Hampshire area that includes Winchester.

Six will be in Portsmouth, four in Havant with the rest in the north of the county.

A police spokesman said: "The PCSOs are completing their initial training and will be out on patrols next month.

"After a six weeks with a supervising officer they will come back to consolidate what they have learnt."

It was the funding of the PSCOs in the long term that was the cause of Hampshire Police Authority's reluctance to commit to the scheme, making it one of the last forces in the country to sign them up.

Despite a recommendation by Hampshire Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan to back the scheme, the authority said it could not afford to fund the posts if government cash dried up beyond an initial two-year commitment.

However, following a crunch meeting in December members agreed to take on 25 officers but only on two-year contracts.

Chairman Simon Hayes said if the government withdrew its support it would be up to other agencies, like local authorities to help fund the scheme.

PCSO POWERS:

Issue fixed penalty notices, for riding on footpaths, dog fouling, litter etc.

Confiscate alcohol and tobacco.

Gain entry to save life or prevent damage.

Demand the name and address of a person acting in an antisocial manner.

Request a person to remain with them for up to 30 minutes for the arrival of a police officer in certain circumstances.

Have powers in relation to the removal of abandoned vehicles.

Use reasonable force to detain in certain circumstances.