Forty new police community support officers have joined the ranks of Avon and Somerset police.

There are now 132 PCSOs patrolling the streets of Bristol alongside regular police officers.

The extra officers have been recruited after Bristol City Council took the decision to spend £1.2 million for three years on making the city safer.

Assistant chief constable John Long said PCSOs were making a big difference to crime figures and were much appreciated by the communities they serve.

He said: ""PCSOs are an important resource within the police force. Their work improves the quality of life in the local community at grass roots level and their visibility offers greater public reassurance.

"Last year we had an eight per cent reduction in crime in Bristol, giving us the lowest crime levels since 1998.

"Since the beginning of April crime reduction has got even better, with burglaries 12 per cent down and robberies 30 per cent down.

"That's down to the work we do with prolific offenders and a greater police presence in areas of need."

Avon and Somerset PCSOs do not have powers of arrest or to search people but play a vital role in dealing with anti-social behaviour and other low-level crime that affect quality of life.

Mikealia Brown, 28, who used to be a nursing assistant at Bristol Royal Infirmary, wanted a more challenging career out in the community.

Within a week or so of starting work as a PCSO she spotted a man stealing a handbag from a car in Mowbray Road, Whitchurch.

She alerted the control room and kept watch on the man until regular officers got there. The thief was arrested and the handbag returned to the grateful owner.

Mikealia said: "I have had a very good response from the public. Local people stop you and do say thank you.

"Parking outside schools is a big issue on our beat and we carry out patrols in areas that have had burglaries."

Natalie Martin, 24, now patrols Hillfields and other areas when needed.

She said: "I did a biomedical science degree at Cardiff University and I would like to go into crime scene investigation eventually but first I want to work in the community.

"Everybody has been very receptive to us on our beat. People like to see us on patrol."

Ben Spence, 23, has been working in Barton Hill for about six weeks.

He said: "It's really interesting, varied work. You meet a lot of people and most of the time there's a good reaction.

"I want to make a difference – it's about job satisfaction."

Councillor Gary Hopkins, cabinet member for environment and community, said: "This extra funding has been planned for some while. Avon and Somerset police are working under a big handicap of being £12 million under-funded by the Government.

"That means we have fewer police officers than other major cities. Inevitably, our police officers are stretched.

"PCSOs are a massive assistance, doing the routine jobs and freeing up regular officers to tackle more serious crime."