City centre safety team given new powers by police

Members of Exeter's Community Safety Team have been given powers including issuing fines for anti-social behaviour

A patrol team in Exeter has been given new powers including the ability to issue fines to help tackle anti-social behaviour.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the city's community safety team had been granted limited powers through the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme.

The scheme grants powers such as requesting an offender's name and address, issuing fixed penalty notices, confiscating items and directing traffic, the force said.

Insp Nathan Johnson, who leads the city centre neighbourhood policing team, said the patrols were a "game-changer".

The team launched in August 2024 as a joint venture between police, the city council and local businesses.

Police said members of the community safety team carry out patrols in areas identified as anti-social behaviour hotspots.

It also enforces Public Spaces Protection Orders, which have the power to ask people spotted drinking on the street or doing aggressive begging to leave the area.

'Blights people's lives'

Chief Constable James Vaughan said anti-social behaviour was an issue the force wanted to "drive down".

"Anti-social behaviour blights people's lives and we're really keen to reduce it wherever we can," he added.