NEARLY all of the 500 new PCSOs funded by the Welsh Government have been deployed.
The latest figures show that 467 Police Community Safety Officers (PSCOs) have begun work across Wales with the remaining expected to be trained and deployed by September 2013.
The new recruits across Wales are thanks to the £16.8 million made available from the Welsh Government.
The South Wales Police Western Division, which covers the Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot areas, is benefiting by getting an extra 58 PCSOs to assist regular warranted police officers in tackling anti-social behaviour and crime.
Swansea AMs Mike Hedges and Julie James, along with Aberavon AM David Rees, have congratulated the Welsh Government on almost achieving its target of getting an extra 500 PCSOs into communities into Wales, and hope it will make a real difference to policing.
Speaking from the Senedd, Mr Hedges, the Assembly Member for Swansea East, said: "PCSOs play a valuable role in assisting our police officers in tackling anti-social behaviour and crime, as well as making people feel safer in their communities.
"An additional 58 PSCOs out on the beat in the Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot areas, paid for and deliver by the Welsh Government, is something I'm pleased to welcome and support."
Mr Rees said from speaking to police officers, he knows that 20 per cent cuts from Westminster are "already putting a real strain" on Welsh police forces and on frontline policing.
He added: "These additional 500 PCSOs will therefore make a real frontline difference towards preventing and tackling crime in our streets and communities."
Mrs James, who is the Swansea West AM also praised the recruitment process.
"The fact that the Welsh Government is already well on course to deliver on this key manifesto commitment demonstrates just how committed they are towards supporting policing and reducing crime in the Swansea area," she said.
In total South Wale Police is taking on an extra 206 community support officers. In November 30 PCSOs completed their training with the force, with five of them heading for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. The officers did their nine week training courses in the University of Glamorgan in Pontypridd and Swansea Met University. Dyfed-Powys Police is getting an additional 74 officers.
