POLICE officers with a new community role are to be posted across the borough over the next few months.

Police Community Support Officers (PCOS) were first introduced to the capital last September to carry out security duties in Westminster.

Now the scheme is being extended to 15 other boroughs including Ealing by the end of April.

They will work in areas such as town centres and local authority housing estates, dealing with issues such as littering and vandalism, alcohol consumption in prohibited areas and other anti-social behaviour.

They will also act as the eyes and ears of police officers and provide a visible patrolling presence.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Bryan, who is spearheading the introduction of PCSOs, said: "These new Community Support Officers will provide a very welcome addition to London's boroughs. They will be working in specific community roles to tackle local problems and the quality-of-life issues such as litter and graffiti that we know many Londoners are concerned about."

The new PCOS will be attached to problem-solving teams in Southall, Acton, Ealing and Greenford.

January 29, 2003 18:30