Police and Justice Bill

I will give way in a moment, as is my practice, but I shall make some more progress before doing so. The Bill establishes a standard set of powers for police community support officers. We believe that their introduction has been a success and that taking that forward with a standard set of powers will enhance and develop that. Since their inception in the Police Reform Act 2002, community support officers have undertaken a variety of uniformed patrol tasks. Their high visibility has had a positive impact on reassurance in public places. They are accessible to communities and are key deliverers of neighbourhood policing. It is a unique role, distinct from that of a police officer. I am pleased that there is now recognition on both sides of the House of the true value of CSOs. But if CSOs are to play a full part in neighbourhood policing teams, they need appropriate powers to deal with the day-to-day problems that they encounter on the street without necessarily having recourse to a police officer. Standardisation will also end the confusion felt by the public about what powers CSOs have in their local area. CSOs’ local knowledge of young people makes them well placed to play a valuable role in dealing with truancy. The Bill therefore provides chief officers with the option of designating that power to their CSOs.