Torbay Council and SWISCo officers have been granted limited police powers under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS), a move intended to strengthen local responses to anti-social behaviour and environmental offences across the bay.
What powers officers will have
Devon and Cornwall Police have accredited a total of six officers from the two organisations, with a further three officers currently going through the accreditation process. The accreditation gives them specific, constrained powers to support frontline policing, subject to strict conditions on when and how those powers may be used.
- Accredited officers must be in uniform and display the CSAS logo.
- They must carry a police-issued ID badge and an accreditation card while on duty.
- They will be able to request names and addresses where relevant to anti-social behaviour and certain fixed-penalty offences.
- They are authorised to share information and intelligence with Devon and Cornwall Police.
Operational detail and legal limits
The scheme has operated across Devon and Cornwall since 2005 and can only grant powers with the approval of the Chief Constable. Powers are deliberately limited and designed to complement — not replace — police activity. Failure to provide details when legally required may itself amount to an offence, under the conditions set out for the accredited roles.
| Organisation | Accredited officers | Undergoing accreditation |
|---|---|---|
| Torbay Council town centre officers | some of the six | part of the three |
| SWISCo enforcement officers | some of the six | part of the three |
Why this matters to Torbay residents
Local leaders say accredited officers will help tackle low-level crime and nuisance more effectively and improve day-to-day joint working between the council, SWISCo and police. The powers sit alongside existing measures such as Public Spaces Protection Orders already in place in town centres.
“As part of our work on Operation Town Centres, we already have Public Spaces Protection Orders in place in our towns, which means officers can challenge certain anti-social behaviours. This extra power is another tool in our armoury,”
Officers with CSAS accreditation will be expected to operate within clear guidance. That includes being on duty and clearly identifiable when exercising any of their authorised powers. Devon and Cornwall Police say areas using the scheme have seen falls in low-level crime and closer working between partner organisations.
For residents, the changes mean more council and SWISCo personnel will be able to take immediate, limited action in public spaces — such as requesting contact details from people involved in nuisance incidents — and pass intelligence quickly to policing teams. The move is part of the council’s wider Operation Town Centres work to improve safety and environmental standards in Torbay’s shopping and leisure areas.
Local people who wish to understand more about what the accreditation allows and how it will be used can contact Torbay Council or Devon and Cornwall Police for details on the safeguards, oversight and complaint procedures connected with CSAS officers.
