ST HELENS would lose around two thirds of its neighbourhood police presence if plans to cut police community support officer posts go ahead.

Merseyside Police said the increasing burden of cutting costs could spell the end for their 364 community support officers (PCSOs) as well as its mounted division.

If these proposals go through, St Helens Central area would lose six PCSOs, St Helens South would lose 21 and seven would go in St Helens North.

Of the 49 current neighbourhood posts, just 15 - consisting of inspectors and constables - would remain.

The neighbourhood teams are visible in uniform on the streets, like the old-fashioned 'bobby on the beat', and deal with low level crime such as anti-social behaviour, traffic issues and burglaries.

Introduced in 2003, PCSOs are uniformed civilian members of police support staff who are non-warranted but have a variety of police powers.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Cooke, of Merseyside Police, said no final decisions will be made until February 2016.

He said: "Since April 2011, Merseyside Police has been required to save £77.4 million which has resulted in the loss of 1,500 officers and staff.

"Throughout the five years we have worked hard, while making required cuts to our budget, to protect the frontline and ensure that we provide the policing service our public rightly expects.

"Going forward there is potential that the £48 million we were expected to save in the next four years, starting in April 2016, is likely to increase substantially to £70 million or more.

"This means that the force will have exceptionally hard decisions to make in relation to how the force functions and how we can provide an effective policing model that puts our communities' needs at the heart of everything we do.

"The last four years have already seen the force undergo significant changes, and there is no doubt that the decisions going forward will only get harder and harder."