PCSOs handed extra powers

Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) across Dyfed-Powys have been given additional powers to effectively deal with incidents they face.

As part of the introduction of a new Territorial Policing Model, Dyfed Powys Police has reviewed Neighbourhood Policing and made changes to ensure that it supports the core principle that the public and problems local communities face will be at the heart of Local Policing.

To strengthen the Neighbourhood Teams they have approved additional powers for Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) to help them deal with that small minority of people who cause the greatest harm.

Chief Superintendent Steve Hughson (Head of Territorial Policing) said:

“It is important that we focus our attention on this small group of people in every community, to reduce crime, tackle anti-social behaviour and provide reassurance to the wider law abiding population.”

The most significant change is the power given to PCSO’s which allows them to detain people suspected of criminal offences, until the arrival of a police officer.

To support this power PCSO’s will be permitted to use reasonable force to prevent that person making off and to search the detained person for dangerous items. New powers have also been given to tackle alcohol related offences such as the purchase and consumption by people under 18 years of age. There are also additional powers to deal with graffiti and criminal damage offences.

Chief Superintendent Hughson added:

“These new powers came into force on 1 September and I believe that they will add value to the role and improve the confidence we should all have in our local Neighbourhood Teams.”

In addition to the new powers Dyfed Powys Police have received funding from the Welsh Government for an additional 74 PCSO’s bringing the total across the Force to 144. These are being deployed across the whole of the Force area to make sure that there is a visible presence in all communities.

From 1 September 2012 Dyfed-Powys PCSO Powers will include:

• Power to Detain
• Power to require name and address for offence causing injury, alarm, distress
• Power to use reasonable force to transfer control of detained persons
• Power to enforce certain licensing offences and enter licensed premises
• Power to search detained person for dangerous items that could be used to assist escape
• Power to use reasonable force to prevent a detained person making off
• Remove children in contravention of curfew notice
• Confiscation of alcohol from persons drinking in designated places
• Power to issue Fixed Penalty Notice for graffiti

To get in touch with Dyfed-Powys Police call 101 or visit www.dyfed-powys.police.uk.