Civilian officers are the latest weapon in the fight to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime on Teesside.

Community Support Officers (PCOS) - a cross between a warden and a police officer - will patrol streets in the area to cut down on things like under-age drinking and littering.

The PCSOs wear uniforms similar to police officers with peaked caps which bear the blue and white band and a blue badge saying Police Community Support Officer.

A total of 20 officers have powers under the Police Reform Act 2002, which allow them to directly tackle some anti-social behaviour issues.

These powers just give them that little bit extra authority to be able to tackle anti-social behaviour Inspector Graham Strange

Their main role is to improve the quality of life in the community and offer greater public reassurance.

They are due to take up their new posts on Friday after being trained in law, first aid, court procedures and self defence.

Inspector Graham Strange, from Cleveland Police, told BBC Radio Cleveland the specially-trained officers had a range of powers.

He said: "They can seize tobacco and seize alcohol from young people.

"They could actually issue fixed penalty notices which is like an instant fine in situations where, for example, you have youths riding a cycle on a foot path, littering and even dog fouling.

"If you can just imagine a situation where you have a group of youths causing problems, these powers just give them that little bit extra authority to be able to tackle it."

Community teams

All PCSOs will also have the power to:

Enter property to save life or prevent damage.

Seize vehicles being used to cause alarm or distress.

Demand the name and address of a person acting in an anti-social manner.

Remove abandoned vehicles.

Twelve PCSOs will work in each of the Middlesbrough and Stockton districts and eight will be based in both Hartlepool and Langbaurgh.

They will work in a range of locations, including areas experiencing high levels of anti-social behaviour, and will be managed by District Community Policing Teams.

They will have radios, access to all appropriate Cleveland Police information systems and are accountable to the local Police District Commander.