HIGH profile policing is on its way to Wanstead and Woodford in the shape of six new community support officers (CSOs) and there could be more to come.

The initiative follows the successful deployment of 15 CSOs at Barkingside and Ilford and borough commander Chief Superintendent John Boylin hopes they will play a significant role in deterring street crime when they start next month.

At a recent meeting with Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) Chairman Toby Harris, he said: "There will be a significant increase in police numbers in this area.

"I think the people of Wanstead and Woodford can feel very pleased about what we have got planned for the future."

The CSOs will have the job of supporting the regular police, increasing public safety, and tackling anti-social behaviour. It has not yet been decided how the CSOs will be split between Wanstead and Woodford.

Ilford police have adopted a policy of increasing police visibility. Chief Supt Boylin said: "The public like it and we like it because it makes people feel safe. The issue is maintaining that with the other demands.

"Our response times are at a good level which means we have the opportunity to put people out on normal patrols without the CSOs. Visibility will be a matter of course rather then just as and when."

The Metropolitan Police want to increase police numbers in London to 35,000 from their current level of just under 30,000.

As part of the MPA's Step Change programme which will be rolled out across the borough in the next year, every ward in the borough is to have its own dedicated team of officers which could see a further 25 officers based in Wanstead and Woodford.

Chief Supt Boylin warned that there might be a problem over the capacity of local stations. He said: "Wanstead is quite a nice little station. We only use about three rooms of it because we've got specialist teams in there so when we look to place another 15 police we are struggling for space.

"Woodford is a really good facility and it is ideal for more police but we have got the driving school and the child protection team there."

Lord Harris said: "There's still more that can be done in terms of increasing the visibility of police and as Chief Supt Boylin said he's determined to make sure he uses the resources in the best way possible."