Clause 5 - Community support officers: power to deal with truants
Police and Justice Bill
4:45 pm
Hazel Blears (Minister of State (Policing, Security and Community Safety), Home Office; Salford, Labour)
I can certainly give the hon. Gentleman the assurance that he wants: CSOs who have this power will have to receive proper and adequate training to deal with young people. The power of CSOs to do truancy sweeps will be universally welcomed as they often know the young people in their area and it will free up police officers’ time. It is also important in tackling antisocial behaviour. As we know, young people who are out of school hanging around the shopping centre or on estates during the daytime can easily be drawn into antisocial behaviour and even more serious activities, so the power will be very welcome indeed. However, as the hon. Gentleman said, it is important that CSOs should be adequately trained to exercise the power, and I give him that assurance.