Eleven members of staff at the University of Worcester have completed assessment by West Mercia Police to pass the force’s Community Safety Accreditation Scheme, part of national CSAS.
Chief Constable David Shaw has authorised a further six members of staff at the university to be accredited with powers under Sections 40 to 42 of the Police Reform Act 2002. Five security staff were accredited in September 2011. The accreditation allows the uni’s security staff to work more closely with the community and the police on and off campus.
It gives those staff that complete the training the ability to hand out Fixed Penalty Notices for such things as noise nuisance, graffiti and disorder. The university of Worcester is one of only a handful of universities in the UK to achieve the accreditation.
Tom Taylor, Head of Security and Campus Services at the University, said: “The University is known for its pro-active approach to good student/community relationships and we already work very closely with the local community, Neighbourhood Watch teams and local beat officers. This accreditation strengthens that work further. Fixed Penalty Notices will always be a last resort, but we hope that by having our staff trained to this level will enable us to deal with any incidents in a swift and appropriate manner.” The accredited staff can:
• Issue Fixed Penalty Notices for Disorder – for breach of a fireworks curfew or knowingly raising a false fire alarm.
• Confiscate alcohol from young people.
• Issue fixed penalty notices for cycling on the pavement, dropping litter, dog fouling, fly posting and graffiti.
• Require a name and address for a fixed penalty offence or anti- social behaviour.
