POLICE Community Sup-port Officers (PCSOs) could be patrolling the streets of Hampshire by April after a bid for government cash to fund the project has been approved.

The county police force put in a bid for government cash for 50 officers - but yesterday the Home Office agreed to fund half that number.

Chief Supt Matthew Greening said: "We will have to look again at where we will deploy these new officers as we only have half the number we thought we would.

"They will be going to the areas that need them most. They will essentially be 25 extra people patrolling our streets."

The county is one of the last in the country to sign up for PSCOs, dubbed plastic policemen by critics, after doubts were raised over their long-term funding

Chairman of Hampshire Police Authority Simon Hayes has warned that taxpayers could be hit in the pocket if the money dries up.

He said: "The fact is the government has not given any assurance that it will continue to fund PCSOs in future years.

"Clearly, unless there is a change of mind, the cost of the scheme will have to be paid for directly by the public.

"If this is the wish of the Home Secretary, then he must understand that it will result in even higher increases in the council tax."

Working primarily between 8am and midnight the officers would also have the ability to use limited enforcement powers.

Criticism has been levelled at the scheme by police union bosses who say the money should be spent on recruiting more regular police officers.

The county's Police Federation, chairman Steve Price said: "I think Hampshire has been backed into a corner. It is a case of having to bid for the money."

Already the police authority, the body that overseas the police and sets the budgets for the constabulary, is being asked to pay £138,000 for towards the scheme when it is in its second year.

The matter will be discussed at the meeting of the police authority tomorrow .

In a report to members, officers warn that if government funding is withdrawn after 2006 the authority will have to decide whether to terminate the PCSO scheme or find extra cash from an already overstretched budget.