UNIFORMED civilians who help out the police have been accused of plunging into violent situations without proper training or equipment following a national survey.

But Swindon police refute the claims made about Community Support Officers and say they play a valuable role in modern policing.

A national survey by the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, found that some CSOs ignored orders to "walk away" from confrontation.

But Chief Inspector Dibble, of Swindon police, said he did not know of a single occasion when this had happened locally.

The survey revealed that 33 per cent of police officers disapproved of CSOs, saying their use was policing on the cheap, while 39 per cent were in favour of them.

The federation's report found that, in some cases, wannabe police officers went over the top and "escalated situations, putting themselves and any attending police officer at unnecessary risk."

CSOs were first introduced to act as the "eyes and ears" of the police service.

As civilian wardens, they patrol the streets and deal with low-level anti-social behaviour.

Currently Swindon have six CSOs and has Government funding for another 12.

Chief Insp Dibble said: "CSOs in Wiltshire act in a completely professional manner and in accordance with training.

"I cannot think of one instance where a CSO has acted in a way in which he or she put themselves or others in danger.

"In Wiltshire, CSOs have been given only limited powers, mainly, to deal with anti-social behaviour.

"These have been particularly effective in gaining evidence to support dispersal orders. These orders have been particularly effective in preventing anti-social behaviour, something the people of Swindon welcome.

"CSOs are not replacements for police officers and we do not see them as such. What they are about is supporting the community by delivering the best possible policing service to the community.

"CSOs help plug the gap between public expectation of a uniformed presence and what can be achieved using police officers, whose skills and powers are increasingly in demand elsewhere."

Phil Davenport, chairman of the Wiltshire Police Federation, said: "From a local perspective I'm not aware that CSOs have waded in when they shouldn't have.

"But, it's important that the role of CSOs is properly defined. Locally a lot of police officers do appreciate the role of the CSOs. But funding is being found for CSOs that should be given to the police force instead. I'm not sure that the added benefit the CSOs bring at the moment is worth more than the money that is spent on them."