In an effort to stamp out anti-social behaviour and crime in Stevenage Leisure Park four security guards have been given ‘limited’ police powers.
Andrew Spranger, Pawel Borys, Graham Bray and Stefan Botes were granted the status under the National Community Accreditation Scheme this week.
It means the men can now order people who are breaking the law or behaving anti-socially to give them their names and addresses.
Chief Insp Richard Harbon, who leads the police team in Stevenage, said: “These officers are now joining a growing number of partnership employees who have passed this Community Safety Accreditation Scheme.
“This serves to further improve safety and reduce crime in the town and I congratulate Andrew, Pawel, Graham and Stefan on completing the course and receiving the accreditation.”
The powers also mean they will be able to confiscate alcohol from anyone under age and people who drink in restricted areas. They can also seize cigarettes and tobacco from anyone under 16.
The men, who all work for the G4S security firm, will have to wear an identification badge whenever they are on duty. They have all completed a training and vetting processes and taken management and competence tests.
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