From locating missing people to confiscating alcohol and keeping our moorland safe, vital work by people from partner organisations using delegated police powers is being showcased in a new video.
The video celebrating the impact of the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) across Devon and Cornwall has been released by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) as the initiative marks its 20th anniversary in the region.
The film shines a spotlight on the dedicated individuals working in accredited community safety roles and highlights how partnership working continues to play a vital role in keeping communities safe.
CSAS enables Chief Constables to designate specific, limited policing powers to trained personnel working in community safety positions, such as street marshals, wardens and rangers. These powers allow accredited staff to address low-level crime and anti-social behaviour, supporting frontline policing and enhancing the safety and wellbeing of local communities.
The scheme has grown significantly over the past two decades. In April 2026, there were 233 CSAS-accredited individuals working across 37 schemes throughout Devon and Cornwall. In the final nine months of 2025 alone, CSAS-accredited street marshals carried out 11,732 hours of foot patrols in areas most affected by antisocial behaviour as part of the Hotspot Policing initiative which is part-funded by the Home Office and the OPCC.
The film features the voices of those working on the ground, demonstrating how CSAS powers are used in real-life situations to prevent harm and support the public.
Tessa Marie, Environmental Education & Enforcement Officer at Falmouth Town Council, said: “Tone is everything. It’s the way you speak to people. You don’t want to get people’s backs up, but you really want to get your message across when you speak to people.
“Sometimes it’s about asking people just key questions, having that time to stop and say, ‘Are you okay? Is there anything I can do for you?’ And quite often that’s stopping someone doing something they maybe might regret. t’s all about getting people to stop and think about what they’re doing.
“The powers that I have mean I can stop and retain information from individuals if needed. For example, in a town centre where people are drinking within restricted zones, I can take their details, ask their name and address, and record that information. I can also instruct them to put alcohol away, confiscate it, and ask them to leave the area.”
Ella Briens, Ranger at Dartmoor National Park Authority, added: “We are always concerned about antisocial behaviour. People don’t always follow the backpack camping rules and associated with that there might be fires which you’re not allowed.
“People might be sitting around, becoming abusive, drinking. Being able to use CSAS and request names and addresses is key.
“When there’s a snow event, we would also be needing to use our CSAS powers. It is quite common to have to close off car parks, direct traffic, perhaps even have a roadblock and man that.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “I am extremely proud of how the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme is used in so many ways across our two counties, and I believe it should be expanded and extended into every police force and every community.
“Our police force in Devon and Cornwall is an exemplar in delegating powers from the Chief Constable to people outside of policing to help keep us safe on the streets. This video demonstrates how we help everybody to play their part in tackling crime in their communities.”
Chief Constable James Vaughan added: “This video is celebrating the fantastic work of Community Safety Accreditation Scheme employees who work up and down these two brilliant counties helping to keep our public safe as part of the police family.”
The video highlights the unique challenges faced across Devon and Cornwall’s large and diverse geography, as well as the important role collaboration plays in addressing them.
Aimee Ingleton, Head of Citizens in Policing at Devon & Cornwall Police, said: “Because of the vast geography, our headquarters here at Exeter is closer to the edge of London than it is to the furthest part of our force area. The influx of visitors that we see seasonally, particularly through the summer, grows our population significantly.
“So that’s why working in collaboration with our partners, statutory and voluntary sector organisations, is so important, ensuring that our communities know who our capable and visible guardians are.
“I’m incredibly proud of this scheme and the individuals involved, because so much work goes into supporting communities.
“We have accredited people who have supported university students in moments of crisis, and they have saved lives. We have people who have helped locate missing people.
“The pride we see from those involved in these roles is extraordinary, and something we should all be very proud of.”
The OPCC is encouraging residents, businesses and community organisations to watch the video and learn more about how CSAS helps create safer, more resilient communities across Devon and Cornwall.
You can watch the video about CSAS in Devon and Cornwall at https://youtu.be/P2wCbrGQHBw
To find out more about the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme, visit:
dc.police.uk/CSAS or policecsas.com