Funding enables police to get back on streets

The Home Secretary, David Blunkett, announced on Friday that forces in 10 pilot areas will get a total of �13m.

The funding will enable the recruitment of additional civilian staff to carry out station-based jobs traditionally performed by police officers.

This will get officers back on the frontline, policing communities.

The home secretary is to announce the funding on Friday during a visit to Newcastle to met members of the public and those directly involved in the frontline delivery of services.

Forces to benefit Northumbria Surrey Metropolitan Dyfed-Powys Humberside Lincolnshire Nottinghamshire Staffordshire West Yorkshire Wiltshire

The Northumbria pilot project alone will see the equivalent of 91 police officers freed up from station-bound duties over the next two years.

Mr Blunkett said: "We have more police officers than ever before.

"But too often officers find themselves trapped in the station, dealing with paperwork and other duties that can, and should, be carried out by other staff.