A standard set of powers for Police Community Support Officers will help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, the Home Office says.
There are some 6200 CSOs across England and Wales. At present the powers available to them vary from force to force.
The Home Office has launched a consultation on introducing a set of standard powers to ensure, the Government says, that CSOs can play a full role in neighbourhood policing, free up more police time, and ensure that the public fully understand their role.
What they say
Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, said: "CSOs have been well received in their communities and have had an impact on low-level crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour. The detail of what a set of standard powers might look like has not been finalised, but of course there are a number of important powers that remain to be designated at the discretion of the chief constable. We are consulting widely and welcome the views of key stakeholders and public alike."
The Government adds that it has made a commitment to increase the number of CSOs to 24000 by 2008.
