HC Deb 28 October 2002 vol 391 c621W
Huw Irranca-Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he will take to encourage use of community police support officers in Wales. [76256]

Mr. Denham

We are committed to the development of Community Support Officers (CSOs) throughout England and Wales. On 23 September my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, announced a fund of £19million for the recruitment of more than 1,000 CSOs in England and Wales this financial year. 27 forces bid successfully for a share of this funding.

Gwent is among the forces which will benefit from this funding. They bid successfully for £169,029 to recruit 30 CSOs. Gwent is also one of the six forces which were selected to pilot, over the next two years, detention powers for CSOs.