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Police have handed powers to G4S guards to stop and question people they believe are breaking the law.

Workers for the Olympics shambles firm will be able to take names and addresses and confiscate booze from under 18s while patrolling a leisure park.

The move has raised fears of creeping police privatisation, but Hertfordshire force chiefs claim it gives them extra resources.

Chief Insp Richard Harbon said the new powers for guards at Stevenage Leisure Centre, will “improve safety and reduce crime”.

(Image: PA)

Local Police Federation chief Neal Alston added: “We are fairly at ease with this because it is not a new thing and there are now numerous individuals who have been given these powers.

“Obviously there are concerns about G4S following their performance in the Olympics and so on - and it is a shame we have had to go this way as a police service but ultimately we are happy to work with anyone to assist with public safety.

“The much greater threat to the police is the attack by the government on the police which I think is ideological rather than anything else. Austerity has a far greater impact than anything like this.”

(Image: PA)

But shadow policing minister Jack Dromey said: “Police powers should be executed by police, not private security guards.

“The public know they can trust the police. The track record of G4S suggests they may not be trusted with public safety.”

The global firm provides ‘support services’ for a number of forces and runs five prisons despite being bailed out by the Army when it failed to fulfil a contract to guard the London 2012 Olympics.