Introduction by the Leader

The Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor, Ken Thornber, says: Tackling anti-social behaviour is one of the County Council's key priorities, and the new Community Safety Service will target those areas of greatest public concern. "Our Accredited Community Safety Officers (ACSOs) all undergo relevant police checks and are trained in a variety of topics including legal knowledge, health and safety, and community and race relations. Provided they meet the required standard they are then individually accredited by the police and given the power to enforce a specific range of legislation."

"Our ACSOs have proved to be a valuable boost in our bid to combat anti-social behaviour, and have enabled police officers to focus on core policing functions. They are providing reassurance to residents concerned about crime in their neighbourhoods, and that can only be good news."

Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan said: "The County Council deserves great credit for taking this initiative and your ACSOs, individually and collectively are proving a great assett to the communities of Hampshire."

Hampshire is the first county in England to operate the scheme. ACSOs are uniformed, patrol in clearly marked vehicles and wear a Home Office badge to clearly identify them to members of the public.