HUDDERSFIELD police hope to have up to a dozen more people helping them on the beat.

The town's police already have two community support officers based in Holmfirth.

Others are now already in newly-created posts across the town and the aim is to bring the total to 12 by Christmas.

Police community support officers Jackelyn Dews and Bilal Ashraf already work in the Holme Valley from Holmfirth police station, alongside community beat officers Pc Phil Langton and Pc Russ Conlon.

Jackelyn lives on the outskirts of Huddersfield. Before becoming a PCSO she worked mainly in Yorkshire in purchasing and customer relations jobs.

Bilal, 23, lives in Halifax and graduated from Huddersfield University last year with an honours law degree.

Insp Mark Broadhead, of Huddersfield police, said: "Jackelyn and Bilal have been well received in the Holme Valley. I have had a number of comments from members of the public who have noticed their high-profile presence.

"I hope our new recruits will have a similar impact in the areas they will be covering.

"This is our commitment to putting officers in local communities, where they can be effective in reducing and preventing crime and anti-social behaviour - something which is often a major concern for local residents."

The Milnsbridge, Cowlersley and Golcar areas will be patrolled by Philip Mitchell and Donna Holmes, who will both work from Milnsbridge police station.

Donna is a 31-year-old married mother-of- two. Having worked in an office for the past few years she decided she needed a new career that would be challenging and rewarding.

Philip, 24, is from Huddersfield and used to be a produce manager with the Sainsbury supermarket chain.

Samantha Shaw and Diane Shaw are not related, but both will be based in Slaithwaite, covering Slaithwaite, Marsden and Meltham.

Diane, 29, lives in Huddersfield and used to be a sheet metal worker. Samantha, 26, is Huddersfield born and bred.

She gained a degree last year, which she feels gave her the confidence to become a PCSO. Both hope to become police officers.

Lockwood will be looked after by 35-year- old Paul Riley, who lives in Wakefield, and 23-year-old Sally Wright, from Holmfirth. Both have transferred to Huddersfield, having already worked as PCSOs for several months in the City and Holbeck division in Leeds.

Michael Johnson and Ian Mountain are based at Fartown police station, covering Fartown and Birkby.

Ian, 48, of Lepton, was in the Army for 25 years, a warehouse manager for five and spent three years in the security industry.

Michael, 22, is from Shepley and has a sociology degree.

He said: "I'm looking forward to putting something back into society, getting to know the public and trying to bridge the gap between them and the police. I would eventually like to join the police."

Andrew Baker and Christopher Stead are both 29 and work from Oakes police station, covering Oakes, Lindley, Paddock and Marsh.

Christopher is a former motor mechanic and also a reservist paratrooper. Andrew is from Australia and was a paratrooper in the Australian Army.

PCSOs in West Yorkshire have the power to detain people for up to 30 minutes. They have their own uniform and carry police radios.

Anyone interested in becoming a PCSO should phone 01924 292084.