EPPING Forest Council's request for police community support officers to be allowed free travel on London Underground when on duty and in uniform is to be taken to London Mayor Ken Livingstone.

District council leader John Knapman is keen to see the officers given free transport on the Central Line so that they can get around easily, especially when the council part funds with a £90,000 contribution for six officers in the next financial year.

Following a meeting with London Underground and Essex Police in a bid to persuade Tube chiefs to allow the concession, Mr Knapman said: "The council was requested to take the matter up with Ken Livingstone as it appears he is the only person capable of making a decision.

"The cost of Epping Forest's police community support officers utilising the Tube system is negligible. It would amount to the cost of printing the passes.

"The cost to Epping Forest of having to buy travel passes in order to make the officers effective when moving between Buckhurst Hill, Loughton, Debden, Theydon Bois and Epping could be as much as £700 per pass per year."

Mr Knapman continued: "London Underground has to realise that it exists essentially for the benefit of the community and this is one way to demonstrate their adherence to that aim."