WHEN the deployment of two Police Community Support Officers for Oxford Brookes University was announced, it was labelled “an investment in the community”.

Well, sections of the community are decidely underwhelmed by an investment that sees these PCSOs knocking off duty hours before they could be of real, tangible use to Brookes’ neighbours.

The two officers, who Brookes are funding to the tune of £124,000 to patrol their own property and neighbouring streets, can be on duty until midnight.

But, students being students, most of them are still knocking back cheap drinks at that time and will only begin to cause trouble much later.

It echoes the problem exposed earlier this week of Oxford City Council’s noise abatement team only having one person on duty at weekends — when most of the trouble that really affects people’s quality of life is happening.

Despite the assurances of senior police officers, PCSOs are still viewed with some skepticism by the public as little more than anaemic versions of your traditional bobby.

If they are really there to help, why aren’t they on patrol in the early hours, rather than turning up with a concerned look and a notepad when the trouble has died down?