Press Release

CHP's Estate Rangers - First RSL in Essex with Police Powers

20/07/05
Ref: pr 0067

Chelmer Housing Partnership (CHP) is the first RSL in Essex to issue employees with new "targeted police powers" to reduce antisocial behaviour in public places.

The Police Reform Act 2002 says police forces can offer their 'stamp of approval' to partner organisations and accredit their employees with police powers. CHP's four new Estate Rangers have joined the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) allowing them to directly tackle nuisance and antisocial behaviour on CHP estates by issuing Fixed Penalty Notices for offences such as graffiti, fly tipping, dog fouling, and harassment and the power to remove abandoned vehicles.

Andrea O'Callaghan, Quality of Life team manager said: "We already work closely with our residents and we know they want to see us dealing positively with antisocial behaviour and provide a visible presence in neighbourhoods to deter disruptive behaviour. Our new Estate Rangers regularly patrol CHP areas and we've already made some very positive differences such as establishing young football teams."

"By combining resources we'll be able to emphasise the fact that we will not accept antisocial behaviour," Andrea continued. "We're also keen to work with the police to tackle persistent and low level crime and youth nuisance on CHP's shopping parades."

Essex Police's CSAS Manager, Jay Smith, said: "I believe the accredited Estate Rangers can make a significant difference on improving the quality of life within local communities. CHP's main role is to educate people about quality of life issues, however they can now resort to using those extended police powers entrusted upon them when education fails."

ENDS

Editor's Notes:

Estate Rangers work closely with residents to help reduce crime and fear of crime, develop community spirit and provide a rapid response to complaints of ASB.
Flexible hours enable a rapid response while referring longer standing issues on to the ASB division of the Quality of Life team.
Immediate response to complaints of ASB, including abandoned vehicles, litter and graffiti removal, directly addresses the issues most important to our residents.
Photo of Estate Rangers on patrol and receiving their CSAS accreditation attached to email.
Contact Victoria Norton: 01245 613111, 07709 334403, victoria.norton@chelmerhp.org.uk

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