More powers for Community Support Officers

Community Support Officers (CSOs) are to being given a range of news powers, such as the authority to issue a fixed penalty notice for littering or graffiti, or to confiscate drugs or alcohol, the Home Office announced today.

The measures are designed to help tackle low-level crime and anti-social behaviour.

Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said: "Community Support Officers are valuable members of the police family and provide excellent support to local communities. They have been well received by the public and been effective in tackling low-level crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour as well as helping to restore respect in local communities.

"Introducing a standard set of robust powers for CSOs will allow them to contribute fully to neighbourhood policing and handle more issues on-the-spot, without recourse to a police constable. It will also help the public understand exactly what CSOs can do, and free up more police time to deal with serious offences.

"By including a number of important powers we are ensuring that CSOs have the tools to deal effectively with low level crime and anti-social behaviour."

At present the powers available to CSOs vary from force to force, which the government believe can cause the public to misunderstand their role and in some cases prevent CSOs from playing a full part in neighbourhood policing.

The proposed standard set will ensure that CSOs in all areas have the powers necessary to deal with issues they are likely to encounter on the street while leaving the designation of a number of powers to the discretion of Chief Officers.

In addition to the standard set of powers, it is proposed to extend the power to take part in truancy sweeps to CSOs. The government believes that CSOs are well placed to undertake this activity given their local knowledge of children in their area. This was one of a number of measures outlined recently as part of the government's Respect Action plan designed to combat the causes of anti-social behaviour and promote respect in society.

Proposals for the standard set of powers and the additional power will be brought before Parliament in forthcoming legislation.

(GB)