A scheme to put civilian police support officers onto Hertsmere's streets is likely to be given the go-ahead at a council meeting on Wednesday.

Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) could be pounding the beat by July, and would have powers to: stop people drinking in public, seize alcohol from under-age drinkers, issue fines for littering, and demand names and addresses from troublemakers.

There would be PCSOs in Borehamwood, Radlett, Potters Bar and Bushey, who would work from 6pm until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights, and from 4pm until midnight on Thursdays.

But some councillors have expressed fears that, if the PCSOs are introduced, regular police officers could be withdrawn from 'walking the beat' duties or moved out of the borough.

At the council's executive meeting last Thursday, Councillor Morris Bright, who is in charge of introducing the scheme, said: "We are putting 'bobbies' back on the beat."

But he warned: "We are still waiting for a written assurance that this would not replace the police's presence. I saw a letter [from the police] that could have been written by a politician. It skirted around the issue."

The scheme, which would be run by the police, would cost the council £100,000 per year, which works out at around £5 extra on each Council Tax bill.

This week a police spokeswoman said: "It would have no effect on our police numbers at all. They are an extra resource, not a replacement for the police."

Labour councillor Leon Reefe said: "I support this scheme. We have all got crime hot-spots in our different towns. My concern is whether ten officers will be enough."

The powers of PCSOs would also include the ability to stop and search cars, to issue penalties to the owners of dogs which foul the pavement, to seize tobacco from underage smokers, and to authorise the removal of abandoned vehicles.