Fixers used 'instead of police'

John Kinsella was used by Steven Gerrard's family as a 'fixer'

"Community fixers", who deal out underworld justice on the behalf of clients, are being used instead of police, a senior policeman has said.

The father of footballer Steven Gerrard has admitted he turned to a "fixer" to stop a gangster terrorising his son.

Matt Baggott, chief constable of Leicester, told Radio 5 Live that it would be "naive" to believe that the practice did not exist.

But, he said, it was not widespread and police had not abandoned some areas.

'Gangster justice'

Mr Baggott was talking during a discussion about "gangster justice" on the Donal MacIntyre show.

The programme claimed the use of such fixers was happening throughout the UK.

It said that "up and down the country" Radio 5 Live had come across individuals who have provided "gangster justice".

People that are criminal fixers are actually feathering their own nest Chief Constable Matt Baggott

One man, who said he was a former gangster, told the programme: "If somebody's had their house burgled they would come to us and give us an idea of who might have committed the crime and then we'd go and find the people, get the goods back and generally give them a talking to.

"If they were co-operative that would be a talking to and if they were uncooperative probably a bit of a beating."

Asked if he had come across community fixers, Mr Baggott said: "I don't think it is widespread but I would be naive to say that it doesn't exist."

He added: "I do recognise that you get a limited number of people at a more criminal level who seek to build a power base in communities by intimidation, by controlling the drugs, by being seen, if you like, almost to bring a sense of peace.

"In my experience the people that are criminal fixers are actually feathering their own nest. All they are doing is making sure they're gaining at the expense of communities.

"In fact, they do the opposite, they bring misery."