Existing policing was not failing, Mr Blunkett's spokesman said

The plan would see householders banding together to raise �10,000 towards the cost of a "community support officer".

The government would pay the other half of their wages, Labour are set to say in their general election manifesto.

But Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten said the measure proved ministers did not have the right level of police in this country.

'No failure'

However, a Home Office spokesman said the proposal would be a supplement to existing police cover, and was not being introduced because current policing was failing.

A spokesman said: "The rich can already pay for private security.

"We want to make it easier for local people in a particular street, community or estate to be able to raise a levy if they want to pay for a community support officer.

It is an admission by the government that they still do not have the right level of police in this country Mark Oaten

"This is not about people being dissatisfied.

"We would not want it to be there for people who thought their policing was poor.

"We would remedy that with the Chief Constable.

"It is just about, at the end of the day, those who want more attention then the police service is able to give them."

'No help'

But Mr Oaten said the plan will create a "two-tier" police service.

"This move will do nothing for those living on our run-down estates where crime, drug-taking and anti-social behaviour blights every hour of every day," he said.

"Rich residents in affluent areas may well be able to afford �10,000 extra for a beat police officer.

"But it will create a two-tier police service where in affluent areas police numbers and resources are greater then where people are worse off.

"It is an admission by the government that they still do not have the right level of police in this country."