Cardboard police 'waste of cash'

The move was branded a gimmick by the Taxpayers' Alliance

A taxpayers' campaigning group has criticised a police force's decision to place life-size cardboard cut-outs of its officers around a town centre.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said the figures had been placed around Taunton to boost "public confidence".

He said the five models, believed to have cost �100 each, were not a cheap alternative to real crimefighters.

The Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "This is an unnecessary gimmick. Everyone knows what a police officer looks like."

The figures have been placed at supermarkets, schools and public shows.

'Local officers'

Avon and Somerset Police said the figures would help people familiarise themselves with the genuine articles and make them "more approachable".

Sergeant Andy Murray said: "This initiative is another opportunity to let people know that their local officers are approachable and able to help.

"It's a case of recognition, if people in our neighbourhoods know the name and face of their Beat Manager it makes them more familiar and therefore approachable."

But Mark Wallace, Campaign Director of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "Most people just wish they saw a real one more often.

"Perhaps people would approach bobbies on the beat more if there were larger numbers of them on patrol.

"Cardboard cut-outs are no substitute for actual policing."