Confusion could arise about police powers, the Police Federation said

Under the draft Labour manifesto, householders could band together to raise �10,000 towards the cost of a "community support officer".

The Police Federation said the plan would cause confusion about who was in charge of policing.

It also said it had yet to be proven that community support officers had any impact on crime levels.

"It would therefore be imprudent to increase their numbers until a robust and thorough analysis of their performance and cost effectiveness has taken place," a spokesman said.

"We oppose the creation of an ill-equipped, ill-trained second layer of law enforcement which can cause confusion as to who has what powers in what circumstances and for how long."

We oppose the creation of an ill-equipped, ill-trained second layer of law enforcement which can cause confusion as to who has what powers in what circumstances and for how long Police Federation

Labour is expected to say in its general election manifesto that the government would pay half of the officers' wages.

It said the plan was not because current policing was failing, but was a supplement to existing police cover.

It was for people who wanted extra attention than police could give, Labour said.

However, opposition parties said the plan highlighted a lack of police in England and Wales.

'More police needed'

"Despite the government trumpeting its extra police numbers, these are small and not making a significant impact," said shadow attorney general Dominic Grieve.

"What is needed is a real increase in the size of the police force, with the creation of 40,000 extra police officers, something which the Conservative Party have pledged and the government have not."

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

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

And 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."