More than 2,000 people phoned Metropolitan police to request information on how to become a police community support officer (PCSO) in the capital.

Commander Richard Bryan said the interest in the 500 posts had been "higher than we could have hoped for".

The plan for civilian officers is part of major reform of policing - but the PCSOs will not have any actual powers until the Police Reform Bill becomes law possibly next year.

The first Police Community Support Officers will perform the vital role of security patrols in central London

Sir John Stevens

Mr Bryan said: "We have had a very positive start to the campaign.

"Now we need to see if the interest can be translated into applications."

In the first week of its recruitment campaign, the Met received 2,158 telephone enquiries and another 517 hits on the internet site.

Increased powers

The Commissioner, Sir John Stevens, launched the recruitment campaign - Something New is Coming to London - last Thursday.

Sir John said: "The first Police Community Support Officers we recruit will perform the vital role of security patrols in central London, deterring criminals and providing intelligence to police officers."

The successful recruits can expect to earn about �21,000 and will initially only have the same powers as any other civilian.

However, when the Police Reform Bill becomes law their powers could be increased to include detaining suspects and enforcing cordons around suspected terrorist incidents.