All PCSOs can use detention powers says Home Office

The Home Office announced the move following the evaluation of a pilot scheme in six forces in England and Wales.
A study published last month found that neither the PCSO nor the detainee was adversely affected by the use of detention powers. Eighty per cent of the cases examined were associated with a positive endorsement of the power.
Hazel Blears, Home Office Minister, said the extra powers to detain suspects would make PCSOs even more effective.
ACPO also welcomed the extension. Peter Davies, ACPO lead on PCSOs and Assistant Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police said: “PCSOs are now part of the fabric of the police service nationally, and we welcome the opportunity to give them powers that may be of use to them in helping to police local communities.
“The evaluation has shown that the power works in practice, is popular with PCSOs and has helped resolve some policing situations.”
But the Police Federation have strongly opposed the decision. Jan Berry, chairman of the Federation, said: “PCSOs are supposed to just be the eyes and ears of the police service and should not be placed in potentially confrontational situations, which detaining someone clearly is.
“They do not have the appropriate experience, the right training or adequate safety equipment to deal with this, which places the well being of the public, police officers and themselves in jeopardy.”
She added that the service needed ‘a firm commitment’ from the Home Secretary not to increase the powers of PCSOs any further.
PCSOs were first introduced in 2002 by the Metropolitan Police Service. They can already issue Penalty Notices for Disorder in certain circumstances.
If proposals contained in the new Serious and Organised Crime and Police Bill published in November become law, their powers could be extended further to include directing traffic, deterring begging and searching detained people.

Main report findings:
n PCSOs spend most of their time on high visibility duties.
n Detentions were initiated by the PCSO in 59 per cent of cases.
n Anti-social behaviour and suspicious activity were the main reason for detention.
n Two thirds of detentions lasted less than 15 minutes.
n In 75 per cent of cases a police officer also attended.
n Sixty per cent of PCSOs had been verbally abused.
n Twenty per cent had been pushed.
n One PCSO was stabbed with a knife.
n 17 per cent of PCSOs are from ethnic minorities and 39 per cent are women.
Source: Community Support Officer (Detention Power) Pilot: Evaluation Results, available on the Home
Office website.