A return to 1950s-style policing was signalled by the Government yesterday as ministers unveiled plans to recruit tens of thousands of special police constables.

The Telegraph
July 26, 2010

The number of the voluntary officers would increase more than fourfold – from the current 15,000 to the peak levels of 67,000 last seen more than 50 years ago, said Theresa May, the Home Secretary.

She also outlined plans for a volunteer “police reserve force” to bolster the country’s 141,000 front-line police officers, whose numbers are said to be under threat because of public sector spending cuts.

Mrs May disclosed the volunteer plans as she outlined a wide range of police reforms, described as the most radical for half a century.

The reforms include the introduction of elected police chiefs, an overall review of police pay and the creation of an American-style National Crime Agency to come into force from 2013, replacing the discredited Serious Organised Crime Agency.

Police officers will be encouraged to use their common sense and not be ruled by overbearing health and safety guidelines.

Mrs May said she wanted to “re-establish the links between the police and the public”. “Over time, police have become too disconnected from the people they are there to serve,” she said.

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