Northumbria will get Home Office funding for another 52 PCSOs to add to the current number of 51 on patrol.

Durham gets 21 more PCSOs boosting the current team of 36, while the Cleveland force, which has an existing team of 75 PCSOs, gets another 21.

PCSOs work alongside officers, to develop community-based approaches to resolve local issues.

The PCSOs wear uniforms, but do not have the power to arrest or detain suspects.

They can issue fixed penalty notices for offences including litter, dog fouling and can confiscate alcohol from underage drinkers and deal with anti-social behaviour.

Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said: "The North East already has 7,351 police officers, complemented by 162 community support officers.

"I am committed to maintaining police numbers, while putting in place a total of 24,000 community support officers across the country by the end of 2008."