A NEW breed of civilian patrol officer with the power to detain suspects is to be introduced as part of a radical shake-up of policing.

The new community support officers (CSOs) are at the forefront of proposals unveiled last night by Home Secretary David Blunkett.

The plan was immediately condemned by the Police Federation as a major constitutional change which challenged the concept of British policing.

But the concept of CSOs carrying out duties such as house-to-house inquiries and dealing with street corner yobs won broad support from police forces across the North-East and North Yorkshire.

Community warden schemes were pioneered in the region and the formula has been repeated in several towns, allowing ordinary members of the public to enforce council by-laws, backed up by the citizens' power of arrest.

Under Mr Blunkett's White Paper on police reform, set out before the Commons yesterday, thousands of uniformed CSOs would be placed under the direction of local police commanders, supplementing - it is thought - the role of community wardens.

Home Office Minister John Denham did not rule out that CSOs might be armed with defensive weapons such as CS spray and batons.

Last night, Home Office Advisor and former County Durham chief superintendent Lord MacKenzie of Framwellgate said the new patrol officers would provide added reassurance for the public.

"This will cost money - it's not policing on the cheap as there is no suggestion of reducing the police force. The idea is to supplement them."

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "We are already involved with great success in a variety of community partnerships to combat crime and reduce the fear of crime.

"We welcome any moves that will help us police our area more efficiently and effectively."

County Durham Police said it would be "working to develop Government thinking" on the proposals.

North Yorkshire Police said it was too early to comment on the proposals.

The Government said the CSOs would be in addition to its target of having 130,000 police officers by the end of March 2003.

The officers' duties would include:

l Checking on truants and people with curfews;

l Dealing with abandoned vehicles;

l Graffiti removal;

l Issuing fixed penalty notices for dog fouling or dropping litter.

They would act as the "eyes and ears" of the police, providing them with intelligence, particularly at times of terrorist threat.

Darlington Borough Council is one authority that already has community wardens, seven in all. The costs are met with a combination of council and Government funding.

A council spokeswoman said they provided a high visibility presence and had helped reduce crime in some areas up to 40 per cent.

She said: "We would welcome an expansion of their role to enhance and support the work of the Durham Constabulary."

But Fred Broughton, chairman of the Police Federation, said: "This major constitutional change alters the relationship between the citizen and the state regarding their liberty."

Mr Blunkett proposed giving himself new powers to sack a chief police officer who fails to bring crime rates down.

Currently, the Home Secretary can only intervene and force a top police officer to step down over misconduct or other disciplinary matters.

Stretching the long arm of the law - Page 1