Community support officers given wider penalty powers

THEY have often been accused of being "plastic bobbies" but police community support officers in the region have now been given new powers.

Both Hull and East Riding councils have agreed to allow Humberside Police to issue fixed penalty tickets to people for littering, fly posting, graffiti or allowing their dogs to foul in public.

Previously only council officers had the power to issue the fines.

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PCSOs in north Lincolnshire have also been given delegated powers.

Assistant Chief Constable (operations) Stuart Donald said PCSOs would be trained to use their powers with "common sense and discretion".

Hull City Lib Dem councillor Mike Ross said: "Any additional support that can help council officers to tackle environmental crimes in Hull and the surrounding area is welcome.

"Many residents tell us how important the upkeep and appearance of their local area is and by delegating powers to Humberside Police this goes one step further in helping to keep our neighbourhoods clean."

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Coun Jane Evison, portfolio holder for cultural services, housing and public protection at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "I welcome this increased partnership working with the police. Giving them delegated powers to issue fixed-penalty notices will increase enforcement on environmental crimes including littering, dog fouling, fly-posting and graffiti.

"As a result we hope to deal with a greater number of reported incidents.

"I look forward to the benefits this will bring to streets and public areas throughout the East Riding."

In 2005 Humberside Police had only 22 PCSOs, and there are now more than 330.

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Last month Chief Constable Tim Hollis warned that frontline officers or PCSOs may have to go as the force seeks to cut costs. He said funding for PCSOs was "guaranteed for the next 12 months, but beyond that we don't know."

PCSOs do not have the same powers of arrest as warranted officers and are only able to deal with a fraction of incidents. But they are highly-visible, having to spend at least 80 per cent of time outside on patrol.