Two new recruits will be pounding the beat in Bicester as the town's first police community support officers take to the streets.

Natasha Casey and Alex Locke have been drafted in to tackle antisocial behaviour and low level crime.

They will become regular faces around the town centre and will also be patrolling local housing estates.

Bicester is the latest place in the Thames Valley Police region to employ PCSOs. The aim of PCSOs is that they concentrate on lower level crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour, freeing up time for police officers to focus on more serious crimes.

Although they cannot make arrests, PCSOs can issue fixed penalty notices for minor offences such as dog-fouling, litter dropping, cycling on pavements, flytipping and graffiti.

They can also seize alcohol from people in designated no-drinking areas, or take alcohol or tobacco from young people.

If a police officer is with them, they can help search vehicles as part of anti-terrorist operations.

The pair, who wear police-style uniforms, have just completed four weeks' intensive training.

Miss Casey, 31, a former IT support worker for Newsquest Oxfordshire, which publishes the Oxford Mail, said she was enjoying the challenge.

She added: "I just wanted a change of career, something more constructive for the community.

"The training was very good. It was a lot of fun, but at the same time, we learned a lot."

She said the change of career meant she was no longer desk-bound all day, looking at a computer.

Former office worker Mr Locke, 22, said: "I've always wanted a career in the police and this job will give me a good insight into becoming a regular officer.

"I don't live in the area, so I don't know Bicester very well, but part of the job for me will be learning about the area."