A CRACKDOWN on anti-social behaviour by the Government will mean 45 extra community support officers (CSOs) on Kent's streets by next year.

The officers, who will have limited police powers, are intended to deter anti-social behaviour in communities.

Home Secretary David Blunkett has announced the Kent CSOs as part of a £41million nation-wide scheme. They will join 18 CSOs who began their Kent Police training in April and will soon be sent out into communities across the county - two for each of the county's nine police areas.

Kent Police spokesman Mark Pugash said: "The decision still remains as to where they will go but they will provide a high visibility presence in communities and will deal with antisocial behaviour."

CSOs have powers to issue fixed penalty notices, confiscate alcohol and tobacco, remove abandoned vehicles and to request the name and address of anyone who is acting anti-socially.

They can hold people for up to 30 minutes while waiting for police officers to arrive on the scene and may use "reasonable force" to prevent a suspect fleeing.