Victorian-style blue lamps placed on Leicestershire police stations

Rupert Matthews said the lamps were a "symbolic" gesture

Victorian-style blue lamps have been fitted to a number of police stations in Leicestershire and Rutland to try to make police "more visible".

Leicestershire's Conservative police and crime commissioner, Rupert Matthews, said the lamps "were a powerful symbol of law and order".

The lamps, costing about £250 each, have so far been fixed to stations in Uppingham and Market Bosworth.

But a critic has said Mr Matthews should focus on more urgent priorities.

Mr Matthews said the lamps, which are replicas of Victorian police lanterns first used in London in the 1800s, would help people easily identify a police station and reassure the public.

"The blue lamp is an iconic piece of British policing history and symbolises not only law, order and justice, but safety and sanctuary," he said.

"These values are just as important to our communities today and this is just one of the many ways I aim to reconnect residents with the policing values of the past.

"This symbolic gesture will help to remind people that the police take their safety seriously and are there to provide help when it is needed."

'Good old-fashioned policing'

Rory Palmer, Labour's candidate in May's police and crime commissioner election, said: "At a time when there is an epidemic of shoplifting in our high streets, and people are telling me every week they are concerned about burglaries in their communities, is he [Mr Matthews] really saying ornamental lamps will reassure people?

"Surely there are more important things to focus on."

Mr Matthew's office said six lamps had been purchased and would be attached to stations with "little or no" signage.

He said: "Huge progress has been made in the fight against shoplifting using technology and good old-fashioned policing.

"I can also confirm that dedicated initiatives are already under way to tackle burglary in key areas, including property safety upgrades funded through my office."