A scheme for volunteers to man Worcester Park police station which was branded a farce earlier this year, has been officially launched.

The front counter will now be open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm for the first time in two years. Since 1999, staffing shortages meant there were no front counter operations although police staff were working within the station behind the scenes.

Now volunteers will be equipped to make lost and found reports, take initial crime reports, give directions and deal with other general enquiries.

But the move, which has already met with deep scepticism, looks set to re-ignite the debate. In April when plans were first announced, Grafton Road resident, Paul Stacey, described the initiative as a farce.

"They are getting civilians to do their job for them. If you are going to the police station and you speak to a civilian, what is the point of that. You may as well ring Kingston and speak to a real police officer," he said.

But Chief Superintendent Steve MacDonald believes it is a workable scheme and should be used in other parts of the borough.

"I was really pleased to be able to reopen Worcester Park to meet the needs of the local community who wanted a more local visible presence," he said.

"We could not have done it without the volunteers. I am looking forward to extending the facilities to other parts of the borough when we can."

Among those at the launch were four of the volunteers who have been working at the station since November 15, Lord Graham Tope of the Metropolitan Police Authority and Sutton and Cheam MP Paul Burstow.

l Do you believe the police are on the right track or do you feel stations should be manned by police officers not civilians? Make your voice heard by writing to the Sutton Guardian at Unecol House, 819 London Road, North Cheam, Surrey, SM3 9BN.

December 28, 2001 09:30