Hertfordshire Constabulary is using police community support officers (PCSOs) to investigate crimes "beyond their role or training", according to an independent watchdog.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) identified that 17 forces across England and Wales were using PCSOs to respond to crime, rather than providing a "visible, community reassurance role".

The HMIC review, which was led by Roger Baker, criticised the over-use of PCSOs - describing it as "inappropriate" because community support officers are being sent to incidents "beyond their role or training" and incidents that "would require investigating" upon their arrival.

Hertfordshire Constabulary was identified as one of the 17 forces doing this, but neighbouring forces in Bedfordshire and Essex were said to be using PCSOs in line with their role and training.

PCSOs cannot arrest criminals but have limited powers when dealing with anti social behaviour.

Government guidelines state that PCSOs can give a fixed penalty notice, which includes fines, for people who are caught littering and they can demand the name and address of someone suspected of anti social behaviour.

The report stated: "It would appear, therefore, that in these forces PCSOs are being drawn into a response style of policing - that is, being used to respond to general calls for service from the public - rather than being used in the visible, community reassurance role for which they were intended.

"This is inappropriate."

As a result, the watchdog recommended: "By December 31, all forces should ensure that PCSOs are not being used to respond to incidents and crimes beyond their role profiles, in respect of which they have no powers, or for which they have not received appropriate levels of training."

Colin Connolly, head of corporate communications at Hertfordshire Constabulary, confirmed that PCSOs were working in situations above their role and training, but stressed they were working with other officers as part of the safer neighbourhood teams.

He said: "At this stage, we do not have the full details of the HMIC report that relate to Hertfordshire Constabulary.

"However, PCSOs are involved in investigations with other police officers as part of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

"Police community support officers are popular and vital members of the policing family in Hertfordshire."

The funding for PCSOs has fallen by 11 per cent since May 2010 - when the coalition government came to power.

In 2010, there was funding to provide 257 PCSOs in Hertfordshire, but this had fallen to 230 in March 2014.

Hertfordshire County Council confirmed they withdrew their funding for PCSOs in 2012/2013 as part of cuts across the council.