Residents of Kings Langley and surrounding area will be able to feel safer as officers from Dacorum Borough Council have been given limited policing powers as part of a scheme.
The Community Safety Accreditation Scheme is a nationally recognised initiative promoted by the Home Office and the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC). It recognises the contribution that people like neighbourhood wardens, park rangers, local authority officers and security guards make to public safety in the community.
It provides the opportunity for organisations to work in partnership with the constabulary and be accredited with limited policing powers to help them undertake their roles more effectively.
By being given targeted police powers, an accredited person is better equipped to deal with issues such as anti-social behaviour, disorder and nuisance, with the potential to address certain issues on the spot without the involvement of police.
Last month, seven colleagues from Dacorum Borough Council attended a two-day training course where they were also presented with certificates and identity cards displaying details of their new powers.
All seven now have the power to:
- Take names and addresses from anyone found to be acting anti-socially.
- Confiscate alcohol from under 18s.
- Stop people drinking in designated public places.
- Seize tobacco from under 16s.
- Issue penalty tickets for cycling on footpaths, graffiti and flyposting.
Dacorum Chief Inspector Paul Mitson said: “The Community Safety Accreditation Scheme is a great initiative and I am pleased to welcome these officers from Dacorum Borough Council into the extended policing family. They will work in partnership with the local Safer Neighbourhood Team to further improve safety and reduce crime and disorder in the area.
“I am confident this will benefit the community and I hope it will help make members of the public feel safe and reassured.”
A spokesperson from Dacorum Borough Council said: “We are committed to making our borough a safe place for people to live and work, and our new accredited officers will now have direct powers to deal with issues that directly affect our community.”
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