Police Community Support Officers

What powers do London’s PCSO have?

A PCSO in a high visibility jacket

The majority of the capital’s 4500 PCSOs have over 30 powers to call upon whilst on patrol. These include:

  • Power to direct traffic and pedestrians
  • Power to confiscate alcohol
  • Power to confiscate tobacco from persons under 16
  • Power to enter premises to save life and prevent damage to property
  • Power to remove abandoned vehicles
  • Power to issue fixed penalty notices (for example, cycling on the pavement, dog fouling, littering, graffiti etc.)
  • Power to demand a name and address of a person acting in an anti-social manner
  • Power to seize vehicles used to cause alarm
  • Power to search property in matters relating to terrorism (with a constable)
  • Power to search property in matters relating to terrorism (with a constable)
  • Power to seize drugs

Traffic PCSOs have extended powers to help keep London’s traffic moving.

PCSOs only have powers when they are in uniform

PCSOs must carry a ‘designation card’ that describes their powers

PCSOs do not have a power of arrest but they can require a suspect to remain with then until a police officers arrives.

The 'power to remain' can be exercised only in limited circumstances

PCSO