Community Safety Team granted powers to address antisocial behaviour in Exeter
Exeter’s Community Safety Team have been granted limited policing powers through the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS). Introduced last year through collective investment by Exeter City Council and InExeter, the team are supported by additional funding from Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez as part of the hotspot policing initiative.
The Community Safety Team in Exeter was established to address issues of antisocial behaviour (ASB) and enhance the overall safety of the city centre. They conduct regular patrols in areas identified as ASB hotspots, providing a visible deterrent to unwanted activities while reassuring residents and businesses. The CSAS accreditation, granted by the Devon & Cornwall Police Chief, will enhance the team’s ability to address ASB.
The CSAS scheme allows accredited personnel to be granted specific powers under the Police Reform Act 2002, helping them to address street-related issues more effectively. The Community Safety Team will now have additional authority to request name and address from individuals behaving in an antisocial manner to enforce local bye-laws and Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs).
CSAS accredited street marshals can be identified by the CSAS logo on their uniform. They will also carry with them both a powers card identifying powers they are accredited with and a police issued ID badge. These items can be produced if requested by a member of the public and it is reasonable to do so.
Cllr Laura Wright, Deputy Leader of Exeter City Council, said: “Having the Community Safety Team CSAS accredited is allowing us to address antisocial behaviour within the City Centre, which impacts on the experience of residents, businesses and people visiting Exeter. The Community Safety Team has come about due to partnership working with Exeter City Council, InExeter and Devon & Cornwall Police to resolve some persistent challenges the City Centre faces.”
Becki Brodest-Nott, CSAS Manager at Devon & Cornwall Police, added: “This partnership is another excellent example of how local authorities and the police can work together to enhance community safety. Through the accreditation of these additional powers, the team in Exeter will be better equipped to deal with issues on the ground while ensuring a positive and reassuring presence in the city.”
A multi-agency approach has been key to the success of hotspot policing. The Community Safety Team works closely with the city’s CCTV control room, Exeter Business Against Crime (EBAC), the neighbourhood policing team, and the business improvement district, InExeter. The CSAS accreditation underpins this commitment to collaborative working, allowing partners and the police to work together more efficiently to create safer communities.
Inspector Nathan Johnson, who is responsible for neighbourhood policing in Exeter city centre, said, “The Community Safety Team are a game changer for the city centre of Exeter. Dedicated to patrol the key areas they spend time reclaiming contested spaces and have received plaudits for making a difference at the top of South Street in reducing ASB.”
The team enforces the PSPO, targeting issues such as street drinking and aggressive begging. While on patrol, they have also helped with the recovery of stolen goods, provided medical assistance and liaised with outreach teams to enable support for the street-attached community. The team are an integral part of a broader effort to boost the city’s vitality, promote economic growth and ensure that Exeter remains a safe place to live, work and visit.
Nicola Wheeler, CEO of InExeter, said: "Like many cities, Exeter faces challenges, but through strong partnerships with the police and the council, we’ve worked to find appropriate solutions for our community. The introduction of these new powers for the Community Safety Team will strengthen our resilience, enabling us to better support Exeter’s businesses and help keep the city a safe and welcoming place for all."
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez secured £1 million in Home Office funding for hotspot policing, which forms part of a wider Street Focus project. The funding is shared across 13 towns and cities, including Exeter. A further £200,000 in match funding from the Commissioner has maximised the number of street marshal patrols. From May to December 2024, hotspot policing delivered 2,050 patrol hours in Exeter city centre. Officers attended 226 ASB incidents and made 45 arrests. Street marshals and police officers also engaged with more than 7,000 members of the public while out on hotspot patrol.
Security firms and councils are among those eligible to receive accreditation under CSAS, provided they meet the necessary training and vetting requirements. All organisations and street marshals involved with hotspot policing are being supported to receive CSAS training and accreditation.
This initiative is expected to contribute to improving public reassurance and fostering stronger community engagement.
To find out more about CSAS please visit www.dc.police.uk/csas