Clive Wolfendale wants to tackle anti-social behaviour

North Wales deputy chief constable Clive Wolfendale said civilian staff cost almost as much as a police officer but with far fewer powers.

Mr Wolfendale spoke as the UK Government revealed its five-year anti-crime plan.

Home Secretary David Blunkett announced a new neighbourhood policing fund, helping to recruit 20,000 extra community support officers.

Mr Blunkett's plan will make tackling anti-social behaviour in communities a cornerstone of bringing down the crime figures.

But Mr Wolfendale has suggested communities could have police officers on the beat for very little more money.

He said: "Currently CSO's offer about 10% of the powers - the functionality of a police constable - for about 90% of the cost. For me, that's not good economics.

We all have a genuine desire to tackle anti-social behaviour, it is priority A for politicians and the police service but tinkering about with the structure isn't the way Clive Wolfendale

"Why not employ more police officers for just 10% extra cost and all that ability to serve communities.

"It really is better to have properly trained experienced community beat managers, local community officers," said Mr Wolfendale.

"The (Police) federation has been suspicious for some time that this is a back door method by the Government to introduce a second tier of policing and you can understand that suspicion.

"We all have a genuine desire to tackle anti-social behaviour, it is priority A for politicians and the police service but tinkering about with the structure isn't the way."

The deputy chief constable said the police force could not be responsible for addressing all community problems.

"We're trying to roll back two of three generations of neglect, bad parenting, bad teaching, a bad education system," said Mr Wolfendale.

"The government understands that and is trying to do something about it. But you can't lump all the responsibility on the police service."