PCSO's trained to issue FPNs and number of FPNs issued by PCSO’s

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.026694

I note you seek access to the following information:

I would like to know in the past 12 months,

1. How many PCSOs have been trained up to be able to issue FPNs for speeding drivers and
2. How many FPNs have actually been issued by PCSOs.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - How many PCSOs have been trained up to be able to issue FPNs for speeding drivers.

None. - Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are designated with powers under Section 38 and Schedule 4 of the Police Reform Act 2002.

Within the basic L&D PCSO foundation course, PCSOs are provided with a lesson on the working knowledge of their FPN/CPN powers under the Anti-social behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014.

The Fixed Penalty Notice lesson is in relation to FPN’s only and NOT PNDs which can only be issued to those aged 18 or over.

Within that particular lesson on FPN’s there is a task around the 19 FPN offences which an MPS PCSO may have the power to exercise under their designation. The lesson provides a good understanding of the offences and the circumstances in which to use them, this does not include ‘Speeding’.

1. Cycling on the footway
2. Cycling without lights
3. Fail to comply with red light
4. Carry a passenger on a cycle
5. Fail to comply with traffic direction
6. Failing to stop for a constable
7. Sounding a horn when stationary
8. Sound a horn on a restricted road at night
9. Not stopping engine when stationary
10. Use of vehicle that causes excessive noise
11. Opening a vehicle door to danger
12. Failure to comply with CPN
13. Driving wrong way down one way street
14. Stopping waiting or parking near a school entrance
15. Driving in bus or cycle lanes or bus and cycle lane
16. Unlicensed street traders
17. Littering
18. Graffiti
19. Failure to comply with PSPO (Local Authority FPN)

The College of Policing national curriculum Standards Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF), covers - Use of PCSO powers in correctly issuing a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) within the scope of their role.

Q2 - How many FPNs have actually been issued by PCSOs.

There have been 2,288 FPNs issued by PCSOs from October 2021 to September 2022, but none issued to speeding drivers.