HALF a dozen new police community support officers (PCSOs) could soon be pounding the York beat after residents voted overwhelming in their favour.

But police chiefs have underlined that the extra resources will be directed at crime hot spots, rather than left to aimlessly patrol communities.

In a recent budget consultation, every ward in York, apart from Wheldrake and Bishopthorpe, voted to contribute funds towards extra security for their neighbourhoods in the form of PCSOs or ranger patrols.

City of York Council has now put £60,000 forward to the Home Office, which will match the funding, to pay for the new officers, who could be on the streets by the end of July.

Steve Galloway, the council leader, said the officers would bolster the 13 uniformed PCSOs based at the Safer York Partnership in Lower Friargate.

He said: "I am confident that the officers will make a significant contribution to cutting antisocial and nuisance behaviour in York and help reassure residents that we are tackling crime."

Chief Inspector Andy Bell, York district commander, said PCSOs were treated like ordinary officers and given specific tasks, based on the latest information, to tackle problems all over the city.

He said: "We need to put our soldiers where the war is. The PCSOs have many benefits, including high visibility, police radios and video cameras to record evidence.

"They have been well received by the public and have become a valuable weapon in our crime-fighting arsenal."

Jane Mowat, director of the Safer York Partnership, said: "There has to be a balance struck between being able to respond to urgent needs and to patrol generally in the city."

Meanwhile, York's opposition Labour group has criticised their political opponents in power for failing to create a united strategy for stopping nuisance behaviour.

Leader Dave Merrett said: "There is much good work going on to tackle antisocial behaviour, but often not quickly or effectively enough. We need to work together better and more smartly."

Coun Galloway said his Lib Dem group had invested in extra tenancy enforcement officers, pushed forward antisocial behaviour orders and promoted diversionary youth programmes.

Updated: 08:35 Monday, April 19, 2004