A PIONEERING crimefighting scheme is putting Harrow Council staff onto the streets as special constables.

Borough Beat, a joint initiative between the council and Harrow police, is the first scheme of its kind in the country.

At its launch on Monday, it was hailed as a win-win scheme by the Mayor, Councillor Janet Cowan.

Staff volunteering for the scheme have received police training, uniforms and warrant cards and have the same legal powers as full-time officers, although they do not get paid for time spent on police duties.

One of the first of the new specials to be presented with a warrant card was antisocial behaviour officer Ian Cartmell.

He said: "It's a really good experience for me. The training was excellent and I can take my skills from my full time job into my work as a special constable."

The Mayor, Councillor Janet Cowan, said: "The scheme will provide increased reassurance for our residents and the community in Harrow."

Council leader Councillor Chris Mote said: "Some of the best ideas are the relatively simple ones, and this is a scheme where everyone wins, the council, the police, the volunteers themselves and, most importantly, the people of Harrow, who will benefit from more trained police on the streets."

The programme has already attracted the interest of five other London boroughs which have followed Harrow's lead.

Borough Beat is part of the Met's drive to recruit 1,400 specials by April next year. In Harrow, it follows a similar scheme for workers at the Metroline bus garage in Harrow Weald.

Borough commander Chief Superintendent Bob Carr, who helped devise the scheme with Andrew Trehern, the council's executive director of urban living, said: "This is an excellent example of the police and council working in partnership.

"And it is great news for residents and business alike."

Borough Beat will see council staff with a range of backgrounds and skills get out of their offices one day a fortnight to patrol the borough's streets alongside experienced police officers.

The aim is to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour by providing an additional visible reassurance for residents.

They will perform their police duties during normal working time, and will be seconded by the council without losing pay.

A further seven recruits are expected to complete their training at Hendon in the next few weeks.