Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Gilmer, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) and private security industry liaison discusses what CSAS is and how it contributes to crime prevention.
In the evolving landscape of public safety and crime prevention in the United Kingdom, innovative models of partnership and delegation have become increasingly important.
One notable exemplar is the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS).
In existence now for 20 years it allows non-police employees to be endowed with limited but targeted policing powers under the oversight of the chief constable in each police force area.
But whilst the scheme is thriving in some parts of the country, in others it has fallen by the wayside.
The new National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for CSAS and private security industry liaison, Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Gilmer, is keen to find ways to change that.
This article assesses the current status of CSAS, it’s benefits and challenges and as plans for a relaunch progress at pace, what the future holds for the scheme.
CSAS was introduced under the Police Reform Act 2002 to provide chief constables with the power to accredit persons employed by public or private sector organisations who contribute to community safety or traffic management.
Under the scheme, accredited persons (APs) remain employed by their host organisation (for example a local authority, housing association or private security company) but may be authorised to exercise certain low-level police-type powers subject to training, vetting and local approval.
There is an equivalent scheme which operates across the rail network – the Railway Safety Accreditation Scheme (RSAS).
The rationale for CSAS is rooted in partnership working and the strategic use of limited resources.
By harnessing the presence of uniformed staff already engaged in community safety roles – wardens, security guards, park rangers, traffic management officers – police forces can extend their reach, focus their own officers on more serious crime and embed more visible deterrence in local settings.
The framework allows for tailored approaches to local safety concerns, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and partnership working.
CSAS can be a vital tool in promoting public safety, strengthening partnerships and enhancing the overall quality of life in communities in a manner which is customised to meet local needs.
The first step in delivering CSAS in a police force area where a Chief Constable supports the use of the scheme is the company approval process.
This rigorous process conducted by Police Crime Prevention Initiative (Police CPI) confirms that the public private sector organisation in question and the individuals running it, is deemed suitable.
Individual employees can then be accredited.
This involves training and vetting and regular review as well as establishing ways of working with the force.
They do not become police employees or fall under the direction and control of that force but will rather work closely with them to tackle shared goals.
The granting of powers is optional. CSAS can absolutely work with no or limited powers having been granted.
Accredited persons wear the uniform of their employing organisation, carry an identification badge endorsed by the police force and may have a card listing which powers they hold.
The aim is visibility, recognisability and legitimacy in the community
When done properly, the benefits of CSAS can be profound and of real benefit to our communities.
The main benefits are;
While CSAS offers promising benefits, there are well-recognised challenges and caveats which industry stakeholders should consider:
Accredited persons have limited powers and are distinct from police officers or even PCSOs.
It is very important that this distinction is maintained and that there is no scope for confusion in the eyes or minds of our communities.
Accredited people provide a valuable but distinct role from that of other uniformed personnel.
Careful consideration to terminology and uniform needs to be maintained to ensure that the correct balance is struck.
This is something we are making very clear in the updated guidance.
The best CSAS schemes are those where clear and understood protocols and ways of working are established with the local police force.
Governance, joint training events and well-practiced mutual feedback mechanisms are stronger features of successful CSAS schemes.
Careful monitoring is also a strong indicator for success.
Addressing issues quickly and celebrating successes give everyone strong indication of the difference that their efforts are making.
With the team at Police CPI we are looking at ways to identify and share best practice nationally.
This will also have strategic level benefits in evidencing the potential of CSAS schemes.
In an era where policing faces pressure from resource constraints, rising demand for community engagement and evolving threats CSAS can offer some great benefits.
Key future considerations include:
The Community Safety Accreditation Scheme represents a pragmatic, partnership-oriented model for extending policing reach into local communities and augmenting the uniformed presence of those working in roles of community safety.
For the security industry, CSAS offers both a platform for value-added services and a set of obligations in governance, training and legitimacy.
While the scheme is not a panacea – it must be clearly defined, controlled, monitored and embedded within broader policing strategy – it nonetheless has demonstrated potential to contribute to crime prevention, community reassurance and operational efficiency.
In a future where security provision is increasingly networked, data-driven and collaborative, CSAS stands out as a model worthy of continued investment, innovation and critical evaluation.
This article was originally published in the December edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, clickhere.
