Our Canal Rangers Team and our Community Patrol Boat volunteers who work on Grand Western Canal in Tiverton and its country park have been given limited police powers.
In what has been hailed as a significant milestone in community policing, both the rangers and the volunteers have been accredited with limited police powers under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) and the Accredited Police Volunteer (APV) scheme respectively.
The rangers are part of the CSAS scheme, which has been running in Devon and Cornwall since 2005, whereas the volunteers are the first in Devon and Cornwall to be part of the APV scheme.
The powers accredited through both schemes will enable the volunteers and the rangers to deal with any low level anti-social behaviour which might occur while fostering a sense of security and reassurance for users and the community.
The powers have been targeted to address the needs on the canal and surrounding area and include being able to request the name and address of anyone acting in an anti-social manner. It is a formal offence if an individual does not comply with the requests from accredited volunteers.
Councillor Andrea Davis, our Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said:
“It’s excellent news that the Grand Western Canal Country Park will benefit from this innovative partnership to ensure the area is afforded extra protection against crime and anti-social behaviour. Our thanks go to the volunteers and our Canal Rangers who are dedicating their time and effort to make this initiative a reality. With their combined expertise and passion, we’re confident that the Accredited Police Volunteer scheme and CSAS scheme will have a positive impact on the canal and its surrounding communities.”
Councillor Colin Slade, Chairman of the Grand Western Canal Joint Advisory Committee and local member for Tiverton East, said:
“I am very pleased that these volunteers have received their accreditation. They already do a great job, but now will be able to do so on a formal footing. While the majority of canal and Country Park users are well behaved and considerate, there are a minority who do not think the rules apply to them and indulge in anti-social behaviour and low-level crime. They will now have to be aware that this is unacceptable and that our accredited team will be watching them.”
Councillor Ray Radford, Vice Chair of the Grand Western Canal Joint Advisory Committee and local member for Willand and Uffculme, said:
“It is great that the CSAS accredited park rangers and accredited police volunteers now have recognition of the good work they have been doing. The presence of the patrol boat volunteers helps to keep the canal safe and clean; this now will give them some support and authority. It is the small minority of people that cause discomfort of anti-social behaviour. I do hope this will be a game changer for the benefit of the majority and our visitors.”
Insp Grant Leitch, Sector Inspector for Mid Devon, said:
“By combining the efforts of the Accredited Police Volunteers, the council Canal Rangers and local policing team, we anticipate a more robust response to the challenges posed by anti-social behaviour and low-level crime.
“We are excited about the possibilities this scheme brings and look forward to a safer, more harmonious canal environment for everyone to enjoy.”
Both the APV accredited volunteers and CSAS accredited rangers can be identified by the logo displayed on their uniform, they will also carry a police ID badge and card listing their powers.