Police Grant Powers to York Street Rangers
York’s Street Rangers have been given legal powers to keep people safe and help police cut down on antisocial behaviour.
North Yorkshire’s Chief Constable granted the powers to eight qualified staff, who are employed by Eboracum UK Ltd and work as York Business Improvement District (BID) Street Rangers. The rangers can now require someone who has behaved antisocially to give their name and address. They can also stop cyclists riding on a footpath and control traffic in certain circumstance.
York Commander, Superintendent Lindsey Robson, said:
“Tackling antisocial behaviour benefits everyone and improves our communities greatly, so it makes sense to take all the steps we can to reduce it. These powers have actually existed for a long time and are used to complement the work of our police officers and PCSOs. They are only granted if the Chief Constable is satisfied that they will be used appropriately and proportionally. York is already a very safe place, and by granting Street Rangers selected powers we can keep the millions of people who visit the city centre every year even safer.”
Under the legislation, the eight Eboracum UK Ltd staff who work as Street Rangers are be able to:
- Require someone to give their name and address if they believe they are acting in an anti-social manner.
- Stop cyclists riding illegally on the footpath.
- Control traffic, which could be used in circumstances such as allowing an ambulance better access.
- Require someone to give their name and address for a road traffic offences, assault or criminal damage.
- Share and receive information wit the Police.
Carl Nickson, Managing Director of Eboracum UK Ltd, said:
“This accreditation further professionalises our partnership with the police. Following in the footsteps of CSAS schemes in other parts of the country, it provides the York BID Street Rangers with low-level but useful tools to assist in the reduction of anti-social behaviour. I am extremely proud of the positive progress made with the Street Ranger programme and feel privileged to have received this accreditation.”
The option to delegate powers was first granted to police forces in 2002 under the Police Reform Act. The authority does not extend to the power of police arrest. It lasts for 12 months, at which point it is reviewed by North Yorkshire Police.
