GORDON Brown has said police forces across the country should copy a scheme in Wanstead offering vulnerable people escorts home from cashpoints.

The Prime Minister told a crime conference in west London today that: "Each area can learn from the innovation of others, such as the Wanstead neighbourhood police team here in London offering to walk people the last mile home if they feel unsafe.

"I want every area in the country to consider doing this."

The project, which the Guardian reported on six months ago when it was first launched, has seen officers at Wanstead Police Station provide escorts home for elderly people who want to withdraw money from cashpoints in the High Street.

The scheme made national attention last week when Scotland Yard decided to issue a press release about it to the national media.

However Shadow crime reduction minister James Brokenshire said the idea was "absurd" and unworkable.