TENDRING’S top cop has welcomed council plans to fund new police community support officers in the district.

District council’s leader Mick Page says the authority is taking a tough line on community safety and crime and has decided to fund three PCSOs from April.

Clacton-based divisional commander Chief Insp Cat Barrie said PCSOs played an important role in keeping the town safe.

“I am delighted with the news that Tendring Council wishes to fully fund three further PCSOs for the next two years,” she said.

“It is important to recognise the high value that this role brings to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour as well as providing a professional and friendly face to tackling longer term problems.

“Our local neighbourhood policing team already works closely with Tendring Council in many areas through a variety of different interventions and this can only seek to improve the quality of service provided to the residents of Tendring.”

Proposals to fund the PCSOs were approved earlier this month as part of the council’s budget.

One officer will focus on Clacton, another will work on the council’s housing estates and the third will be deployed wherever the police consider the need is greatest in Tendring.

The officers will be funded by the council’s decision not to reduce the council tax precept by 0.5 per cent, as was originally planned.

About £60,000 raised through council tax by Essex Police will also go towards the officers.