Street marshals accredited with police powers to tackle antisocial behaviour

Street marshals in Bideford and Exmouth have been granted limited policing powers, thanks to their accreditation under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS). The introduction of the street marshals has been facilitated through the hotspot policing initiative which aims to tackle antisocial behaviour (ASB) through targeted foot patrols.

The CSAS accreditation, granted by the Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable, provides Gardant Security’s street marshals, who are working in Bideford and Exmouth, with limited policing powers.

The Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) recognises those who already work in an overt community safety role and harnesses their expertise, visibility and ability to deal with or deter issues in the local community. Once those working in the community safety role join the scheme, they are known as CSAS accredited persons. They have undergone non-police personnel vetting and CSAS training, are embedded into the extended police family, and accredited with limited but specific police powers aimed to tackle local issues. With increased communication and information sharing between accredited persons and local police, CSAS enables accredited persons to work in partnership with local policing teams to help reassure communities, and tackle antisocial behaviour, crime and disorder.

Gardant Security’s street marshals have been accredited with:

·       The power to share and access information and intelligence with Devon & Cornwall Police.

·       The power to require name and address for anti-social behaviour.

·       The power to require name and address for a relevant offence. Relevant offences are those outlined by a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) or byelaws.

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.  

Partnership working has been instrumental to the success of hotspot policing. The CSAS accreditation underpins this commitment to collaborative working, allowing partners and the police to work together more effectively to create safer communities.

Inspector Ewan Seear, who heads up Bideford’s neighbourhood policing team, said: “The hotspot patrols and funding has led to a direct reduction in antisocial behaviour (ASB) and crime in Bideford town centre and offered increased visibility and reassurance to the local businesses and community. CSAS accreditation will add to the effectiveness of the existing patrols, allowing marshals to proactively enforce the public spaces protection order, specifically around alcohol consumption and ASB in the town.”

Becki Brodest, CSAS Manager for Devon & Cornwall Police, said: “I am delighted to announce that CSAS accreditation has been granted to the town marshals in Bideford and Exmouth. This achievement is a testament to the outstanding work of the marshals employed by Gardant Group. CSAS accreditation facilitates closer collaboration between the police and accredited organisations, enhancing community reassurance through high visibility uniformed patrols. These marshals have been trained to address antisocial behaviour and low-level crime and disorder effectively. They are also vetted by Devon & Cornwall Police. This initiative will bring significant benefits to the town, acting as a deterrent to those engaging in antisocial behaviour while fostering stronger relationships between residents, visitors, and local authorities. It is a fantastic opportunity to showcase how proactive measures and collaborative working can transform community safety. I am confident the marshals will make a tangible impact, and I look forward to seeing the difference they will bring.”

Exmouth’s residents and businesses have welcomed the reassuring presence of the street marshals alongside police. Inspector Grant Leitch, Exmouth Sector Inspector, explains: “The hotspot funding has significantly strengthened the presence of street marshals and police officers, exactly where the public need them. The Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) accreditation of Gardant Security’s marshals in Exmouth, underscores this presence with compelling powers. It enables the authorities to challenge ASB and to deny its existence in our town centres: this is exactly what the good people of Exmouth want and will continue to be delivered with this innovatory way forward.”

Gardant Security has over a decade of experience as a security provider and already hold accreditation for their street marshals carrying out hotspot patrols in Barnstaple. This has now been extended to include their employees working in Exmouth and Bideford.

Ollie Backhouse, Managing Director of Gardant Security, said: “CSAS accreditation is a formal recognition of our training, professionalism and commitment to the community. It grants our marshals a set of police-approved powers which enables them to engage more actively in addressing antisocial behaviour. This accreditation ensures that we’re not just visible but also fully equipped and qualified to make a meaningful difference on the ground.”

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 Bideford and Exmouth. 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 18,736 foot patrol hours across the peninsula. Officers attended 1,194 ASB incidents and made 189 arrests. Street marshals and police officers also engaged with more than 68,000 members of the public while out on hotspot patrol.

All the security companies commissioned to provide street marshals for hotspot policing are being supported to receive CSAS training and accreditation.

To find out more about CSAS please visit www.dc.police.uk/csas