Ormskirk’s Derby Ward Conservative candidate David Sudworth has called for all local Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to be given more powers.
It comes after details obtained by David from Lancashire Constabulary under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that out of 22 powers available to the county’s PCSOs at the discretion of the Chief Constable, just one has been issued - the power to hand out fixed penalty notices for dog fouling.
Among the 95% of discretionary powers which have not been issued include:
• Power to issue penalty notices in respect of offences of disorder
• Power to issue fixed penalty notices for truancy
• Power to issue fixed penalty notices for excluded pupil found in a public place
• Power to issue fixed penalty notices for graffiti and fly-posting
• Power to disperse groups and remove persons under 16 to their place of residence
• Power to use reasonable force to prevent a detained person making off
• Power to remove truants from designated premises
• Power to search for alcohol and tobacco
• Power to serve closure notice for licensed premises persistently selling to children
David said: “I was prompted to look into the issue of PCSO powers as a result of working with Derby Ward residents on police enforcement issues. I was surprised my FOI request revealed that more than 95% of discretionary powers for PCSOs are not being used. For PCSOs to be as effective as possible, they should have as full a range of powers as possible at their disposal.
“I wrote to the Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary, urging him to review this and see if PCSOs can be given more of the discretionary powers which are within his gift to grant. The response I received stated there is ‘no current appetite’ to extend the use of discretionary powers.
“Every organisation is now being asked to do more for less to help pay off the national debt. As a result, taxpayers have a right to ensure they are getting even more bang for their hard-earned buck. With that in mind, I urge the Chief Constable to think again; give our local PCSOs extra powers and help them to make our communities as safe as possible.”