Street marshals in Exmouth and Bideford have been granted some policing powers, under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS). The accreditation, granted by the Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable, provides street marshals provided by local guard firm Gardant Security with the power to share and access information and intelligence with police; and to ask someone for their name and address in cases of anti-social behaviour, such as offences under a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).
Becki Brodest is CSAS Manager for Devon & Cornwall Police. She said: “This highlights the achievements of the marshals employed by Gardant Group who are trained to manage anti-social behaviour and address low-level crime and disorder effectively. CSAS accreditation enables closer co-operation between the police and accredited organisations, enhancing the confidence through high visibility uniformed patrols. They are also vetted by Devon & Cornwall Police. This accreditation is set to bring substantial benefits to Exmouth, acting as a deterrent to antisocial behaviour while strengthening relationships between residents, visitors, and local authorities. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate how proactive measures and a collaborative approach can enhance community safety in the town. I look forward to seeing the meaningful impact the marshals make in Exmouth.”
The SIA-badged marshals wear the CSAS logo on their uniform; they carry a ‘powers card’ listing the powers they are accredited with and a police-issued ID badge, which the public can ask to see. Ollie Backhouse, Managing Director of Gardant, said: “CSAS accreditation is a formal recognition of our training, professionalism and commitment to the community. It grants our marshals a set of police-approved powers which enables them to engage more actively in addressing antisocial behaviour. This accreditation ensures that we’re not just visible but also fully equipped and qualified to make a meaningful difference on the ground.”
Torbay
Separately, around Torquay, Torbay has an Enforcement Team, deployed to tackle environmental crime in the district, such as dog-fouling, littering, graffiti, fly-tipping and unauthorised encampments, run by Southwest Integrated Services Company (SWISCo) which manages statutory services on behalf of Torbay Council; uniformed town centre officers who patrol to combat anti-social behaviour; and SIA-badged marshals, funded as elsewhere through Home Office, central government ‘hotspot policing’, funnelled through police and crime commissioners.
Background
CSAS (and an equivalent scheme for the railways) date from the Police Reform Act 2002. Visit www.dc.police.uk/csas and for the national picture https://www.policecsas.com/.
About the firm
Gardant are SIA-approved under the regulator the Security Industry Authority’s Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS). The firm also offers training and event and related medical services. Visit www.gardant.co.uk. Gardant already hold CSAS accreditation for their street marshals carrying out similar ‘hotspot’ patrols in Barnstaple.
Photo by Mark Rowe: the take-down of the pre-Christmas winter fair on the Cathedral Green in Exeter city centre, covered by Gardant. More in the March edition of Professional Security Magazine.
