A Force To Be Reckoned With (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

A Force To Be Reckoned With

May 4, 2005 5:02 PM

Local Lib Dem Councillor Kabeer Hussain, has hailed the impact Police Community Support Officers have had in his ward since their first introduction some 18 months ago.

At present 2 teams of 7 PCSOs can be found operating in Hyde Park, Little London and Woodhouse on a weekly basis. Since their introduction the PCSOs have been involved in reporting incidents of anti - social behaviour, graffiti and vandalism. Equipped with top of the range mountain bikes and with a specific remit to engage the local community and their concerns, the impact of the PCSO¡¦s has been felt across the ward. Working from 8am to 12am with an option of extending their hours till 3am should the need arise, PCSO patrols are on the beat 365 days a year (excluding bank holidays).

Councillor Hussain (Lib Dem, Hyde Park & Woodhouse) said, "Police Community Support Officers provide a vital role supporting the Police and helping protect the local community. The rapid response by the PCSO's to incidents such as vandalism and anti - social behaviour has sent out a message to both the perpetrators and the victims of these crimes that such incidents will not be tolerated. PCSO's act as eyes and ears of their colleagues in the regular police. Their contribution to creating safer communities is invaluable. "

PCSO's have the following powers:

"Issue fixed penalty notices for dog fouling, littering, riding on footpaths and offences of disorder.

"Request a name and address for fixed penalty offences.

"Request a name and address for offences that cause injury, alarm and distress to another person or damage or loss to another¡¦s property.

"Request the name and address of a person acting in an anti social manner.

"Detain a person up to 30 minutes pending the arrival of a constable (or to accompany that person to a police station with the person¡¦s agreement.)

"Use reasonable force to detain a person or to prevent them making off .

"Request a person to stop drinking in a designated public area ad to surrender open containers of alcohol.

"Confiscate alcohol from young persons.

"Confiscate cigarettes and tobacco products from young people.

"Enter property to save life or limb, or to prevent serious damage to property.

"Seize vehicles used to cause alarm and distress.

"Require the removal of abandoned vehicles.

"Stop vehicles for the purpose of a road check.

"Maintain and enforce a cordoned area for area established under the terrorism.

"Stop and search vehicles and things carried by driver/passengers under terrorism act and things carried by pedestrians.

"Issue Fixed Penalty Notices for public nuisance under Chapter 1, Part 1of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. (West Yorkshire Police PCSOs are not yet authorised to use this power).