THAMES Valley Police is privatising the jobs of officers who guard prisoners in police cells throughout the force area.

Instead of officers on guard, private contractors will do the job.

The decision taken by the police authority is part of a massive drive by the force next year to get up to 290 fit and experienced officers back on to frontline duties.

Every job that does not actually require police skill or powers will in future be done by civilians. The police authority is putting £5 million into next year's budget to pay for the changes, though the only people who will be privately employed will be those on jail duty.

Speaking at his first full meeting of the police authority on Friday, new chief constable Peter Neyroud said he wanted officers outside and working on the force's top priorities of stopping burglary, vehicle crime and street robbery.

"We can't tackle street robbery unless we have visibility," he said. "Young men target victims and people don't feel able to go out. It is critical to get officers out," he added.

Officers did not want to be working inside, he said. "It is not an appropriate place for fully trained officers. We need them out."

Chiltern Vale area commander Chief Superintendent John Donlon said anything that put more police out on the street had to be a positive move.

At any one time there would be two or three PCs on cell duty in High Wycombe police station who would be released to go on patrol. The custody sergeant would remain, he said.

Mr Neyroud privatised the jailer system in the West Mercia force when he was deputy chief constable and it worked there.

The private contractor took the risk and provided replacements for people off sick.

But he warned that this should not be a cost-cutting exercise.

"It was better to pay more and have it done well," he said.

Many jobs formerly done by police officers are now done by civilians but the new changes represent a big new push.