The government's four-year plan to increase police numbers has begun - and South Canterbury will be one of the first regions to benefit.

Ten new staff will be brought into the entire Canterbury region from the beginning of next month.

Sixty more will be added over the next four years.

Acting District Commander Superintendent Lane Todd said one of the new staff members will solely focus on child protection and sexual assault in Timaru and Ashburton.

"It certainly will provide a specialist investigator in that area, which will be great news for the victims in terms of getting a better and quicker service delivery."

Todd said due to the population growth in Rolleston, the area is a priority.

"The four that we're putting there this year is really just to start and we certainly intend to be putting more there over the next year or two."