Police front desks to get friendly face

Smiling civilian customer service officers are to replace constables and sergeants at front desks at a number of London police stations in an effort to get more bobbies back on the beat.

The Metropolitan Police Authority agreed in October to a £120 million package with building group John Laing to design, build, fund and operate stations. The firm will manage stations at Bromley, Lewisham, Sutton, Deptford and Brockley.

Details just released show that support services the firm will provide include staff to process suspects and lock them up, and as the first point of contact for people reporting crime.

The new workers will also be responsible for storing police uniforms and equipment, taking charge of prisoners' property and typing reports.