Security officers at Welwyn Garden City’s Howard Centre have been granted some police-style powers in Hertfordshire under the national Community Safety Accreditation. Running in Hertfordshire for a number of years, the scheme allows local government and security contractors, among others, to be given certain police powers. An accredited person can help to deal with issues such as anti-social behaviour, disorder and nuisance without direct involvement of the police.
Security staff at the shopping centre have been accredited under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme and have been granted the powers to:
– Acquire names and addresses of anyone behaving in an anti-social manner
– Confiscate alcohol from anyone under the age of 18
They will work with the local Neighbourhood Policing team as part of Hertfordshire Police’s ‘extended police family’ and will assist in contributing to local community safety.
The security staff accredited at the Howard Centre are required to wear the Home Office approved badge and to carry their identification card showing the powers granted to them by Hertfordshire. All accredited persons with the scheme are required to have met suitability criteria, including police vetting and to have undertaken training.
Kevin Naylor, Regional Operations Director for contractor OCS, said “OCS Limited is delighted to have met the standards required to become accredited within the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme. We look forward to working in partnership with Hertfordshire Constabulary. We can now enhance our service delivery to our customers and stakeholders and help provide a safer neighbourhood for the people of Welwyn Garden City.”
The accredited security officers were presented with their certificates, identity cards and Community Safety Accreditation uniform badges at a presentation ceremony at Hatfield Police station on April 26.
Chief Inspector Fiona Gaskell said: “We look forward to welcoming the OCS Limited into the extended police family and to working in partnership with them to help maintain a safe and secure environment in Welwyn Garden City town centre.”
And Hertfordshire Police’s Community Partnerships Manager, Sally Russell, added: “We are pleased to welcome OCS Limited into the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme. The scheme continues to grow successfully and to play an important role in the delivery of effective policing too many neighbourhoods. Above all, it assists in providing an effective and efficient contribution to the safety and security of Hertfordshire’s residents.”
