A group of around half a dozen uniformed police were checking vehicles alongside members of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in a trial at a post on the southern outskirts.

"We are trying to train some of these guys who have been involved in security before in some of the techniques used by us," Captain Harry Jameson told AFP.

"What we are trying to get across to the people of Basra is that they are not going to get away with looting vehicles, stealing goods, water tankers - all the kind of vehicles which will help a city get back on its feet."

Basra saw a wave of looting in the aftermath of its capture by the British last week. Everything from government buildings, hotels and even the city's university were ransacked.

Armed robbers are still roaming the streets at night, prompting the British to impose a 6.00 pm curfew.

The umbilical connection between the security forces and Saddam's Baath party regime has meant that the coalition has been wary of linking up with police officers.

Jameson said it was far too early to think about arming the police or allowing them to conduct patrols by themselves.

But he said those who had volunteered to take part in Monday's experiment had proved their worth.

"They speak the language, know who to look out for. The difficult thing is to communicate why we want to stop someone."

Communication is dependent on translators who do not appear to be working their full time at the post.

One of the Iraqi policemen seemed to be pleased with the new arrangements. "Police yes, this good," he said, pointing at his sweltering woollen uniform.

While most cars are waved through, Jameson said vehicles that aroused suspicion were pulled over.

"Guys with enormous amounts of food bags -- we certainly want to know where that came from," he said, in the light of the looting of warehouses from where the United Nations oil-for-food programme was administered.

Security appears to have settled down in the city although British troops in tanks are still posted outside key buildings such as the city's main hospital and banks.

The British have asked a tribal leader to head up a community-based committee to restore some degree of civic administration in Basra.

The British came under heavy criticism for failing to halt the looting last week but they said that they had been hamstrung as they finished off their military operation to root out militiamen loyal to Saddam.

Other cities in Iraq have also witnessed widespread looting. In Baghdad, civilians stole light fittings, air conditioning units and even medical equipment from some of the capital's hospitals.

Iraqi police cars, escorted by US forces, started joint patrols of Baghdad's streets Monday for the first time since the city came under American control.

SPACE.WIRE