POLICE bosses have withdrawn community support officers' power to use reasonable force when they detain suspects after one was stabbed and others experienced abuse.

Senior officers at Lancashire Constabulary felt the capability was causing "conflict".

It is believed that people were not respecting the CSOs, labelled "plastic police" by some critics because of their limited powers, and their authority to use force.

The Lancashire Police Federation today welcomed the move and said the powers were not needed for the low-level nuisance CSOs tackled.

Lancashire was one of six forces in the country which tested letting CSOs use reasonable force to detain suspects for 30 minutes until a police officer arrived.

The government said in December that the two-year pilot scheme had been a success and allowed Chief Constables to continue giving CSOs the power if they wished.

But Lancashire police bosses decided not to persevere after a CSO in the county was stabbed with a knife and others experienced abuse attempting to detain people.

Nationally, 151 CSOs from the six pilot forces reported some form of abuse and seven others said they had been assaulted.

No figures specific to Lancashire were available.

Steve Edwards, chair of the county's Police Federation, said: "In Lancashire CSOs are quite clearly aligned to neighbourhood policing to reinforce the visible police presence and giving reassurance to the community.

"In that role, I do not think they need the power to use reasonable force.

"But, if at some point our new Chief Constable decides to change their role, they may need to have that power again."

CSOs were introduced in Lancashire in early 2002.

They are employed by police to tackle anti-social behaviour in communities and were given the power to issue fines for litter and dog fouling, confiscate alcohol, tobacco and vehicles, remove abandoned vehicles and to enter property to save a live or prevent damage.

There are 169 CSOs working in the county.