Unpaid volunteers could effectively replace Sutton's existing police community support officers (PCSOs) if plans set out by the Home Secretary and Metropolitan Police chiefs go ahead.

Scotland Yard is debating whether to axe all of London's 1,017 PCSOs to meet an expected £800m spending cut imposed by Government over a four-year-period.

A second option would see 640 PCSOs retained, but savings would have to be found elsewhere.

Home Secretary Theresa May has also announced that police volunteers could be given increased powers to detain people, confiscate alcohol from children and issue fines - duties traditionally performed by salaried officers.

Carshalton and Wallington MP Tom Brake said: "I am shocked to hear the news that PCSOs might be cut. They play an important role in helping the police prevent crime.

"It also seems that plans to give volunteers increased powers is a way to plug the gaps if the cuts are made. Volunteers should not have power to detain people.

"It's a move that would put the public at great risk and could be open to abuse."

Frank Berry, chairman of the Sutton Federation of Tenants and Residents' Associations, said: "The community officers do a great job and for a lot less than it would cost for regular police officers.

"But if reductions to the number of police staff happens I am concerned that gangs from other parts of London may move in.

"We can't allow to have police numbers minimised. We have to fight any cuts to their numbers."

Met bosses will discuss the cuts at the end of the month.