Exmouth’s street marshals granted police powers to enhance community safety

Exmouth street marshals now have limited policing powers under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme, enabling targeted foot patrols to tackle antisocial behaviour as part of a hotspot policing initiative.

Street marshals in Exmouth have been granted limited policing powers, thanks to their accreditation under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS). The hotspot policing initiative, which aims to tackle antisocial behaviour (ASB) through targeted foot patrols, facilitated the introduction of the street marshals.

The CSAS accreditation, granted by the Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable, provides Gardant Security’s street marshals with limited policing powers. This includes:

• The power to share and access information and intelligence with Devon & Cornwall Police.
• The power to require name and address for anti-social behaviour.
• The power to require name and address for a relevant offence. Relevant offences are those outlined by a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) or byelaws.

CSAS accredited street marshals can be identified by the CSAS logo on their uniform. They will also carry with them both a powers card identifying powers they are accredited with and a police issued ID badge. These items can be produced if requested by a member of the public and it is reasonable to do so. 

Exmouth Sector Inspector Grant Leitch said: “The hotspot funding has significantly strengthened the presence of street marshals and police officers, exactly where the public need them. The Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) accreditation of Gardant Security’s marshals in Exmouth, underscores this presence with compelling powers. It enables the authorities to challenge ASB and to deny its existence in our town centres: this is exactly what the good people of Exmouth want and will continue to be delivered with this innovatory way forward.”

Becki Brodest, CSAS Manager for Devon & Cornwall Police, said: “I am pleased to announce that CSAS accreditation has been awarded to the town marshals in Exmouth. This highlights the achievements of the marshals employed by Gardant Group who are trained to manage antisocial behaviour and address low-level crime and disorder effectively. CSAS accreditation enables closer co-operation between the police and accredited organisations, enhancing the confidence through high visibility uniformed patrols. They are also vetted by Devon & Cornwall Police. This accreditation is set to bring substantial benefits to Exmouth, acting as a deterrent to antisocial behaviour while strengthening relationships between residents, visitors, and local authorities. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate how proactive measures and a collaborative approach can enhance community safety in the town. I look forward to seeing the meaningful impact the marshals make in Exmouth.”