Tiptree Parish Council could become the first in Essex to give members police powers.

The council is considering joining the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme.

Councillors would go on a five-day training course to get powers which would allow them to confiscate alcohol and cigarettes from children, and issue fines for dog fouling, littering and graffiti.

They would not, however, have the power to detain or arrest suspected criminals.

Parish councillor Diana Littler said: “From my experience, youths in particular will refrain from bad behaviour if there is the possibility of being caught.

“If there is more of a presence, whether it is the police or something like this initiative, it all helps.”

The scheme is available to public, private and voluntary sector organisations.

Accreditation is awarded by the Chief Constable after applicants have been vetted, completed a training programme, exam and interview.

If successful, they are given an accreditation badge by the Home Office and a card identifying them, their role and their powers to the public.

More than 37 organisations from across Essex, including Colchester United Football Club and Colchester Council, have signed more than 400 people up to scheme.

It costs £1,000 a person to get accreditation.

However, parish councillor Terry Worlledge is against the idea, saying it is wrong to do a job the police are paid for.

He said: “If they cannot cope with it, something has to be done.

“Starting that kind of vigilante force, or councillors going around waving cards, is a nonsense.”

Tiptree Parish Council will hold a private meeting with the police in the next fortnight to find out more.

Terry Slater, chairman of Tiptree Parish Council, said the full details of the scheme have to be explained before councillors decide whether to go ahead with it.

He added: “It will go to the full council for a vote. If there enough votes in favour, it will proceed. If there are more against, we will forget about it.”