Uniform makes wardens look 'too like police'

A uniform designed for a controversial new breed of civilian wardens is set to be changed because it makes them look too much like police officers, it emerged today.

On the day the uniform was unveiled, police officers said it was not distinctive enough, and the public would have difficulty telling the difference.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir John Stevens, said the force, which today advertised for 500 Community Support Officers (CSOs), would now look at whether their blue-and-white chequered, dice pattern hatbands were too much like those of full constables.

After his first view of the uniforms, the Metropolitan Police Federation chairman, Glen Smyth, said that the cap badge – which has "police" in large letters and "community support officer" in smaller, less visible letters – should be changed.

"Members of the public might think at first glance that they are police officers, and that's not fair on them and it's not fair on the public."

Sir John said: "There has been some discussion about the dice cap to see whether it looks too much like a police officer. We will test it in operational situations to make sure there is a distinction between a police officer, who has full powers, and support officers who have limited powers."

The Met wants to have 300 CSOs in place by September and 500 by next April. Within hours of the first newspaper advert being placed today, 200 people had applied.

However, they will have no powers until Home Secretary' David Blunkett's Police Reform Bill becomes law next year. They could then detain suspects for up to 30 minutes, give fixed penalties for dog fouling, drunkenness and litter louting, remove abandoned vehicles and enforce cordons around suspected terrorist incidents.