A SOUTHAMPTON man who set up a scheme to give residents their own “private police” service has been given the go-ahead to resume.

David MacLean, 27, had been convicted of dressing in a uniform that would make the public believe he was a real officer.

But his conviction at the city magistrates court has been quashed in an appeal.

The prosecution accepted they could not prove he had deliberately intended to impersonate a police officer and offered no evidence.

Mr MacLean was awarded costs. Allowing the appeal, Judge Peter Ralls QC, who sat with two magistrates, said they had made “a pragmatic decision”.

Mr MacLean, who is boss of Atraks, which launched its service in Southampton last year, had been fined £1,600 after being convicted of two charges of impersonating a police officer.

Defence lawyer Jeremy Barton said: “His business has not been running and his security licence has been confiscated resulting from this conviction. He would be working otherwise. It is his business. There are similar ones running in London and encouraged in legislation.”

Mr MacLean, who lives in Holcroft Road, Thornhill, was charged following two incidents in Netley and Eastleigh.

In the former, a police officer mistook him for a colleague as he attended a riot dressed in his security uniform and stab vest. The officer’s partner, however, recognised Mr MacLean from school and realised the error.

A week later, MacLean was spotted in Eastleigh town centre again dressed in full uniform and talking to pub staff.

Mr MacLean’s Atraks is a £3.15-a-week patrol service designed to give extra protection from criminals and antisocial behaviour.