Surrey Police PCSO powers

The powers designated to our PCSOs has recently been reviewed and updated. The revised list of powers available to PCSOs in Surrey is available below.

In Surrey, PCSOs have the power to:

• Require names and addresses for specific offences, such as those where an FPN might be issued, under Schedule 3c Police Reform Act – Paragraph 3.
• Search for and seize alcohol and tobacco. Allows a PCSO to search for and seize these items under Schedule 3c Police Reform Act – Paragraph 4. An individual commits an offence if they fail to consent to the search.
• Seize and detain controlled drugs. Allows the seizure of a substance found whilst exercising any power which the PCSO believes to be a controlled substance under Schedule 3c Police Reform Act - Paragraph 5.
• Seize and detain psychoactive substances. Allows the seizure of a substance found whilst exercising any power which the PCSO believes to be a controlled substance under Schedule 3c Police Reform Act - Paragraph 6.
• Remove vehicles illegally, obstructively or dangerously parked, or broken down. Allows a PCSO to remove a vehicle in specific circumstances under Schedule 3c Police Reform Act – Paragraph 10 under S99 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. (Abandoned vehicles are dealt with by the relevant local council).
• Direct traffic and pedestrians. Allows a PCSO to direct vehicular traffic and pedestrians when engaged in the regulation of traffic under Sections 35 and 37 Road Traffic Act 1988.
• Issue FPNs for certain traffic offences such as cycling on the pavement under Section 72 Highway Act 1835, failure to comply with directions under Section 35 Road Traffic Act 1988, failure to wear a seatbelt under Section 14 and Section 15 Road Traffic Act 1988 and using a handheld mobile phone while driving under Regulation 110 Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.
• Require name and address for antisocial behaviour. Allows PCSOs to require the name and address of anyone who is believed to be engaged in anti-social behaviour under Section 50 Police Reform Act 2002.
• Stop mechanically propelled vehicles and bicycles on foot under Section 163 Road Traffic Act 1988.
• Enter licensed premises under Section 180 Licensing Act 2003.
• Seize and retain property under Sections 19, 21, and 22 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. Gives the powers to seize articles (S19), including access and copying (S21) as well the authority to retain property (S22).
• Confirm the identity of a charity collector under Section 6 House to House Collections Act 1939. Allows a PCSO to require a person to provide their name and address where the individual is acting as a charity collector.
• Surrender alcohol in respect of a public space protection order. Gives the power to deal with individuals drinking alcohol in breach of a prohibition order under Section 63 Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
• Enforce parking restrictions at or near a school under Section 5(1) or Section 8(1) Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
• Enter a premises to save life or limb under Section 17 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
• Enforce vehicles used in a manner causing alarm, distress, or annoyance (including e-scooters). Comes with conditional power of seizure when vehicles used to cause annoyance, alarm, or distress under Section 59 Police Reform Act 2002.
• Carry out road checks under Section 4 Road Traffic Act [and stop a vehicle in order to ascertain whether it is carrying a person that has committed an offence; a witness to an offence; a person intending to commit an offence, or a person unlawfully at large.
• Place and maintain traffic signs on a road in an emergency or in the case of an obstruction for up to seven days under Section 67 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
• Photograph suspects away from a police station under Section 64A(1A) Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
• Remove a truant or excluded pupil from a specified area to a designated premises under Section 16(3) or 16(3ZA) Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
• Remove a person under 16 to a place of residence/safety if the PCSO has imposed a requirement to surrender any alcohol under Section 1 Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997.
• Carry out community resolutions for certain offences under Section 102 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Gives the power to deal with out-of-court disposals in respect of anti-social behaviour.
• Disperse persons from a specified area where authorised by an Inspector for a specified period of up to 48 hours under Section 35 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
• Undertake fishing rod licence checks under Section 35 Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975. Gives the power to require the production of a fishing licence in a water authority area.