The new recruits will not replace police officers

The Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) will be on the beat in Bradford and Leeds.

The full-time officers - who include a former chef, bank clerk and traffic warden - have been given three weeks training.

They are the first 18 of 70 people who have been recruited by West Yorkshire Police to be on the streets by the end of April.

'Huge impact'

Chief Superintendent Graham Bullock said: "They have come from a wide range of different careers and lifestyles, but they are all united by one common goal. They all want to make a difference to West Yorkshire.

"And they are all keen to get out on the streets, helping police officers and reassuring the public.

"I am sure they will have a huge impact in communities."

The force has been awarded more than �500,000 from a government pot of �19m to launch the scheme with additional money available over the next three years.

Detention powers

They will wear a uniform similar to a police constable, and have limited powers to deal with anti-social behaviour and disorder.

But the officers will be able to detain suspects for 30 minutes in a scheme that is being piloted in six areas of the country.

Launching the scheme Home Office Police Minister John Denham said: "They are not policing on the cheap and they will not replace police officers.