Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain tonight attempted to head off a developing row over controversial community restorative justice schemes by declaring: "There can be no two-tiered structure to policing."
As he arrived for a crunch meeting in Belfast, Mr Hain also attacked those who were spreading rumours about the British government's strategy.
Sir Desmond Rea, chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, has already warned he and his colleagues will oppose any move to allow CRJ systems to become quasi police forces in local neighbourhoods.
But Mr Hain, who was briefing the authority on planned guidelines due to be published within weeks, insisted any fears were misplaced.
He said: "I want to nail the rumour that community restorative justice is some kind of alternative to policing."
The schemes, which bring victims and perpetrators of crime face to face, have been the source of increasing rancour among public representatives in Northern Ireland.
Supporters insist they provide an alternative to paramilitary punishment, beatings and shootings in certain districts.
Critics have expressed concern that republicans, who continue to boycott Northern Ireland's police service, may exploit the programmes to create an unaccountable law-enforcement system.
Any community restorative justice representatives seeking new funding should pledge to liaise with police and other criminal justice agencies, they argue. Mr Hain agreed that the policy could not work without the complete backing of the police service.
He said: "The restorative justice programmes are about a different way of making sure justice is done and seen to be done, and victims get some recognition and also some compensation.
"It must be done according to strict police principles. "This is about a structure in which the police are involved, and are supportive. It's an established part of the criminal justice system."
The Secretary of State stressed that once the guidelines are published the government's position would become crystal clear.
He added: "This system can only work with the full confidence of police and the criminal justice system, no ifs, no buts, full stop.