Police at York Minster to get powers of arrest

But that will change this Spring when York Minster’s Minster Police gain the same powers as regular PCs, after an 80-year break.

The eight Cathedral Constables, who make up the private police force, have been given specialist training and will soon be attested, giving them the power of arrest within the cathedral’s precinct.

The new powers were formally recognised today in a memorandum of understanding signed by The Dean of York and Superintendent Adam Thompson on behalf of the Chapter of York and the Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police.

Established in the 13th century, the Minster Police is a forerunner of the modern police force established by Sir Robert Peel in 1829.

The Minster’s Cathedral Constables were sworn in as constables until the 1930s, when they ceased to be attested.

Mark Sutcliffe, Head of Security, said: “York Minster is one of only seven cathedrals in the world to maintain its own police force, which has played an important role in the rich history of the Minster for hundreds of years.

“The memorandum of understanding acts as a formal agreement between the cathedral and North Yorkshire Police around operational policing responsibilities within the Minster and its precinct and the new training and attestation ensures our Cathedral Constables have the professional skills and powers necessary to execute their duties.”

Anybody arrested will be handed over to North Yorkshire Police, who will be responsible for investigating.

The police force will be in charge of transport and processing as well as submitting prosecution files.

The powers will formally come into effect when the constables and Head of Security are sworn in at a ceremony at the Minster.

Officers at Canterbury, Liverpool and Chester Cathedrals are already attested and hold the powers of constables in their respective cathedrals and precincts.