Plans by controversial Middlesbrough mayor Ray Mallon to get tough with "so-called beggars and prostitutes" have come in for criticism.

Mr Mallon - dubbed Robocop during his time as a senior police officer - is creating the country's largest community police force to tackle crime in the town.

He has targeted street begging and prostitution - declaring he and the town have "had enough."

But the charity Barnardo's said Mr Mallon was being too hard on people who were often victims themselves.

We need a co-ordinated service to include health and care

Barnardo's

On Wednesday, Mr Mallon pledged to cut crime by 15% in a year by creating almost 100 community wardens who will answer calls and patrol streets.

Mr Mallon said he wanted to arrest the decline of Middlesbrough's local environment.

He said he had "had enough of litter, graffiti, yobs and muggers" who were blighting streets and public buildings.

He said "so-called beggars" had become a "scourge" of towns and cities across Britain.

He also promised tougher action to combat Middlesbrough's prostitution problem.

Care also important

But Wendy Shepherd, project leader of Barnardo's, said: "We have to look at the health and social care needs of these people, many of whom are residents of Middlesbrough themselves.

"It's no good just going on to one section and deciding to look at enforcement.

"We need a co-ordinated service to include health and care.

"A lot of the people we are talking about are victims themselves, and just employing street wardens is not be the answer."