NEWHAM's controversial parks constables are using Metropolitan Police paperwork, re-igniting fears that the distinction between them and the police is becoming blurred.

A spokesman for Newham Police said it was agreed that uniformed agencies such as the parks constabulary should be able to use police stop forms.

The move has met with criticism from members of the public who believe the parks constables, who do not have policing powers outside Newham's parks, look and act like police officers.

Former Cllr Mike Law said: "These men and women are not police officers. The Kelly recommendations seem to have been ignored. We were also told the uniform would be changed, yet they still look like Met officers."

The disclosure comes after the Stratford Guardian received police paperwork that had been filled in by a parks constable who stopped a young person.

The constables have powers of arrest in Newham's parks but only the same powers as members of the public in the streets.

An investigation by solicitor Amanda Kelly last year revealed that the constabulary functioned like a badly trained and poorly managed second tier police force, riddled with management failures and unproven allegations of racism, corruption, bullying, favouritism and abuses of power.

She expressed concern that the uniform made it difficult for people to distinguish between its officers and the police.

A report by the council's former crime and anti-social behaviour department head Trevor Kennett suggested the parks constables' uniforms be replaced.

It also said the powers of arrest, the same as those granted to the public, would only be used "in extreme" cases in the street.

In June, families of two boys who claimed they were falsely held by the parks constabulary announced they planned to sue the council.

A Newham police spokeswoman said: "The police welcome the help of the parks constabulary in keeping parks safe."

A council spokeswoman said the use of the paperwork does not change the fact that Newham Council is responsible for them.

She added: "In order to maintain good and transparent working practices, this the stop form is completed when a parks constable asks a member of the public to account for themselves.

"Many other parks constabularies in Britain use these standard police forms."