The Force now has 50 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) who have been deployed throughout the Force area.
They are police staff who work alongside and complement the work of police officers, focusing on low level crime, anti-social and nuisance behaviour and providing public reassurance.
pcsos are uniformed support staff employees who are not there to replace police officers but to work alongside them.
They have the following powers:
Issue fixed penalty notices for cycling on footpaths Ability to impose requirements and dispose of alcohol consumed in designated public places Enter any premises to save life or prevent serious damage to property Stop vehicles to carry out PACE road checks and for testing. Stop and search vehicles and belongings in areas authorised under the Terrorism Act 2000 Seize vehicles used to cause alarm Ask for names and addresses from suspects or those acting in an antisocial manner Seize and dispose of tobacco from young persons Authorise removal of abandoned vehicles Direct abnormal traffic
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