Private security wardens could be patrolling more Leicestershire towns later this year under "ambitious" new plans – but a policing boss has called the scheme "a really bad idea".

Leicestershire's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Rupert Matthews, said he plans to deploy more privately-owned street wardens through a scheme to help prevent anti-social behaviour, low-level crime and shoplifting in Leicestershire towns.

According to the Reform policing chief, towns like Ashby, Coalville, Market Harborough, Loughborough, Melton, Oakham and Uppingham could benefit from the proposed plans, which could cost around £2 million.

The street wardens will be linked to local CCTV, equipped with body-worn cameras, and trained in de-escalation, safeguarding and mental health awareness skills.

They could be in place before Christmas – but would have no special powers and not have the ability to arrest people.

Mr Matthews said he was "confident" that the planned street wardens would "strengthen" crime prevention and help ease the pressure on police.

He said: "From the outset, I have been clear that crime prevention is my overriding priority. By preventing crime, we reduce pressure not only on policing but also on other emergency services, the criminal justice system and probation, and social care.

"I am confident that street wardens will play an effective role in strengthening crime prevention and boosting community confidence across our two counties.

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"Evidence from areas where they are already established shows that their visible presence deters crime, while their ability to defuse tense situations helps reduce violence and anti-social behaviour".

The move comes as Charnwood Borough Council announced that street security would continue within Loughborough town centre. The initiative has been called a "success", with one councillor saying it has made a "huge difference".

The scheme was originally funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund; however, it will continue with £30,000 in investment from the borough council and Love Loughborough BID.

Labour councillor Jennifer Tillotson said: "The security patrols have made a huge difference in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour within the town centre therefore this is an important investment to help protect our local businesses."

Melton also saw a similar scheme last February, in which security wardens patrolled the town as part of Home Office grant funding, prompting Mr Matthews to look at extending the scheme.

However, Leicestershire Police Federation chief Andy Spence told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) he believes the money should go towards the police force and could fund 10 new police officers or "many" PCSOs.

He also argued that the security warden implementation, which has been hailed a "success" in Loughborough, was "very different" to the one in Melton, claiming that police officers on the ground told him "it didn't work", claiming Mr Matthews was modelling his plans on the Melton scheme.

He said: "Putting in a security guard who will just call the police on the phone does not solve the issue.

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"As we explained to the PCC's office in February, this is a really bad idea.

"This is the Police and Crime Commissioner, [who] back in February didn't want to increase funding for the police, he's told us to make further budget cuts as well and the money that he's been given by the Government, he's giving to a council.

"Police officers are trained every year with conflict resolution. We've got the tools, the equipment and all the rest. We've got the body armour, we've got all the training and we will see bad results from this if this carries on".

Mr Spence also said that there was evidence showing that investing in police showed "phenomenal" results, referencing Humberside Police, who were recently praised for being one of the "best-performing" police forces in regard to shop theft.

Trade unions have also criticised Mr Matthews' plans. UNISON, representing police staff in Leicestershire Police, also said it had "serious concerns" over the proposals, saying it would "replace" neighbourhood policing and risks creating a "two-tier system".

Conservative councillor Craig Smith also told the LDRS he felt the idea was a "gimmick".

He said: "Residents don't want security guards in fancy uniforms wandering around town centres acting as a substitute for real policing. They want properly trained police officers with the powers to intervene, arrest and prevent crime.

"The fact that these marshals will have no powers of arrest, no access to police intelligence systems, and will ultimately have to call the police when trouble starts tells you everything you need to know. This is policing theatre, not policing delivery."

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In a statement, Leicestershire Police's temporary Chief Constable David Sandall said: "Prevention of crime in our communities remains a priority in Leicestershire Police and we have a proven track record of delivering crime prevention activity and hotspot policing in tackling and reducing crime and antisocial behaviour.

"It is important any crime prevention initiative is based on informed and reliable research, is evidence-based and data-led. The success of any initiative also requires strong partnership work with partners and communities affected to ensure an effective, sustainable and impactive outcome.

"The Police and Crime Commissioner receives all funding into Leicestershire for policing and crime prevention, and any decision on how this is invested is made by the Police and Crime Commissioner.