A MAJOR recruitment drive to strengthen the thin blue line has been launched this week.

Bury and other boroughs across Greater Manchester will get a share of more than 10,000 new Police Community Support Officers being recruited across the country to help provide high-visibility patrolling and offer reassurance to local communities as part of neighbourhood policing teams.

A poster advertising campaign will run in ten cities across England and Wales, backed by major TV, radio, and print adverts.

Announcing the poster campaign the Home Secretary John Reid called on members of the public in Manchester to join the growing numbers of PCSOs signing up to play a vital role in helping to combat low level crime and anti-social behaviour.

The Home Secretary said: "The police family has never been bigger. However, while maintaining an historic number of police officers, we want even more keen and willing people to join the wider crime fighting team as PCSOs, making our streets and communities safer.

"Police Community Support Officers have been a welcome addition to our communities. They play a critical role in neighbourhood policing and have had a major impact. Their uniformed presence on our streets makes a real difference in driving down low level crime and anti-social behaviour."

PCSOs start on approximately £16,000 per annum and enjoy flexible shifts, sick pay and 21 days holiday a year. For more information on being a PCSO or for information on applying for a job visit www.policecouldyou.co.uk