'Blunkett Bobby' mascot under fire for being 'too male and too white'

Community Support Officer Steve is a uniform costume complete with over-sized police hat, radio, shoes and even a name badge.

The character is based on a real officer in Sutton, Surrey, and is a regular visitor to primary schools and public events in the capital.

But he has come under fire from one Metropolitan Police sergeant who said he fails to represent the communities he serves.

The officer said the figure, which is white with blue eyes and blond hair, risks leaving Asian and women officers "isolated".

As a result, police chiefs said they are working to develop a new range of both police constable and community support officer characters.

The new row is yet another blow for the Government's much-maligned 'Blunkett's Bobbys'.

Last month, there was widespread outrage when it was revealed that one force had recruited 16-year-olds for the job.

There was even greater outrage just over a week ago when ten-year-old Jordon Lyons drowned in a pond because two PCSOs that werer present were 'not trained' to deal with the situation.

In a letter to police in-house magazine The Job, the officer criticised the lack of thought behind the character.

Speaking about a recent event, he said: "An Asian member of our team agreed to fulfil the role of Steve, getting inside the suit.

"However, he was wearing a short-sleeved shirt and, because the character is a white, blond-haired male - who would not have dark-skinned arms - it became apparent that the officer would not be able to perform the role.

"Female members of the team also felt isolated, due to the gender issue.

"I understand the concept of using a mascot. However, why wasn't more thought put into the development of the character?"

Mellissa Dorrell, of the Metropolitan Police, said the success of PCSO Steve in Sutton led to his duties being expanded across the capital.

She said: "Having proved a huge success for that team, it was decided the idea would be developed by the central safer neighbourhoods unit and made available to all teams as an engagement tool.

"Race and gender have been acknowledged, and work is already under way to develop other PCSO and Pc characters that will reflect the diversity of the Met workforce and the community it serves."