Hampshire Constabulary - Community Safety Accreditation Scheme

The Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS), made possible through the Police Reform Act 2002, provides an opportunity for organisations that provide community safety and security functions to have their organisation and staff accredited by Hampshire Constabulary.

Accreditation will enable employees to exercise limited but targeted powers to help them become more effective in their role and contribute to community safety and security, as well as combat crime and disorder, public nuisance and anti-social behaviour.

Information sharing between the police, partner organisations and accredited persons will help to coordinate visible patrols and direct resources effectively to improve quality of life within the community. The scheme also provides an opportunity to improve the quality, consistency and transparency of private and public sector community patrols.

Who can apply to join the scheme?

The scheme is aimed at organisations in the public and private sectors who contribute to making our communities safer. Any organisation or employer may enter into an arrangement with the chief constable for the accreditation of its staff. This could include Local Authority neighbourhood and street wardens, housing associations and countryside wardens, private sector security services and sports event stewards.

What are the benefits?

Accreditation will help those providing community safety patrols to operate in their role more efficiently and affectively, and will raise their profile within the local community.

Improved working relationships between the police and all those involved in the provision of community safety patrols will lead to the development of a coordinated and more effective service.

Employers benefit from increased public confidence in their staff having received appropriate training, been vetted and deemed suitable for the post. The public will also be assured that the organisation itself has reached acceptable standards in management, supervision and accountability.

By setting up accreditation schemes the police strengthen their links with organisations already contributing to community safety. Accreditation schemes help to ensure the standards of those working to assist them in their force area.