THE deputy leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has welcomed the continued presence of Community Safety Patrols Officers (CSPOs) on local streets.

As previously reported the borough council agreed to fund 16 CSPOs at a cost of £500,000 after Hampshire County Council announced it was to cut funding.

The CSPOs offer a non-emergency service providing highly visible patrols from officers in marked vans and on foot to give a reassuring presence in the community.

The service, which had been jointly provided by the county and borough council since 2010, was set to be lost at the end of December, but the borough council’s Cabinet voted to carry on funding the scheme.

The officers will cover five patches in the central Basingstoke area, a Tadley and Bramley patch, and two rural areas in the north and south of the borough.

After meeting with the officers, deputy borough council leader Councillor Ranil Jayawardena said: “Local Conservatives introduced this service, and I’m pleased that we have been able to retain it.

“I know our residents value the service. We have an exceptional team, with vast experience, and I know they will not only provide a visible presence to deter crime but really crack down on anti-social behaviour, with a zero-tolerance approach.”

He added: “I will also be looking at how we can enable our officers to combat crime more effectively, ensuring we continue to deliver value for money to our residents.”