A former traffic warden and a catering manager went out on the beat in Bradford today as part of the first wave of civilian police patrols.

Dressed almost identically to conventional bobbies, the Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have been recruited to boost the high-visibility uniformed presence within the district.

Senior officers today promised they would make a "huge impact" in reassuring the public, helping to cut crime and tackling anti-social behaviour.

But the Police Federation - which represents rank-and-file bobbies - warned they were "underpaid, under-trained and under-equipped" and were being placed in danger of attack.

Ten PCSOs joined the Bradford South division today with another eight going to the Leeds area as part of West Yorkshire's first ever PCSO recruitment drive.

The Bradford contingent includes former traffic warden Phil Chamberlain, 47, of Keighley, and Rachael Burnett, 23, who used to work in catering. Other recruits include a former prison custody officer and a bank clerk.

By the end of April, 70 PCSOs are expected to be deployed across the county and at least another 200 over the next year.

Each will undergo three weeks of training but they only have limited powers to deal with criminals. While they are equipped with police radios, they do not carry batons, CS spray or handcuffs and can only detain people for 30 minutes while a police officer is called to the scene.

A police spokesman said they would rely on the suspects' co-operation and only physically detain them as "a last resort".

Bradford District Community Safety Co-ordinator, Chief Inspector David Young, said: "The PCSOs will be a great addition to our regular officers in reassuring the public of Bradford regarding the police's efforts to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

Chief Supt Dave Richardson, divisional commander of Bradford South Police, said: "The PCSOs will be a welcome addition to the police officers and street wardens.

"They will have an important part to play in bolstering the city centre team in patrolling the city."

While 60 of the first 70 recruits will be Home Office funded, the rest will be paid for from the Bradford Urban Renewal Fund.

But Chris Turton, chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Federation, said: "People pay their taxes and expect to see a proper police officer if they call for help. I have a lot of sympathy for these people. They are obviously public-spirited but they will be putting themselves in danger."

"I wish them well personally because they have the same aim as our officers - to keep the streets of West Yorkshire safe. But I fear that they won't do as well as is currently thought."

He said while normal officers were well equipped and routinely wore stab-proof vests, PCSOs only had "the power of self-defence, the same as anyone else."

Chief Superintendent Grahame Bullock, head of the force's Community Safety Department, said the Federation's concerns had been taken on board and he added: "They have worked proactively with us in minimising potential risks and are looking forward to the advantages that PCSOs will bring to their colleagues."