Community Policing
Community Safety Accreditation Schemes
Community Safety Accreditation Schemes enable chief constables to designate limited powers to employees of organisations who contribute towards community safety. Accredited Persons (APs) are identified by a standardised badge, and deal with specific nuisances such as dog fouling, cycling on the pavement, and litter.
Latest news
26 August 2008
The Home Office has carried out a national audit of the number of Community Safety Accreditation Schemes (CSAS) in England and Wales. The audit shows the take-up of the CSAS and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) schemes in police forces, including the number of approved organisations and accredited persons. A break down of the powers each force has designated is also shown.
View the Community Safety Accreditation Schemes national audit
Background
Community Safety Accreditation Schemes were introduced by the Police Reform Act 2002 (new window), which enabled Chief Constables to accredit employees of organisations who contibute towards community safety. People accredited under such a scheme are called Accredited Persons (APs) and can be identified by a nationally standardised badge which must be worn at all times.
Chief Constables can choose to designate an AP with all, some, or none of the powers detailed in Schedule 5 to the Police Reform Act 2002. See the list of powers that can be designated to Accredited Persons.
Guidance
Both the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) have published guidance for forces who are thinking about establishing such a scheme.
- Home Office Good Practice Guidance on Community Safety Accreditation Schemes
- ACPO guidance on Community Safety Accreditation Schemes (new window)
How can I find out more?
We have prepared a set of frequently asked questions which may assist with your query.
For further information, please telephone 020 7035 3159.
