STUDENTS at Brunel can rest assured that their safety is being given top priority after extra powers were granted to campus security staff.
Security teams at Brunel have been granted new powers to confiscate alcohol and stop anti-social behaviour under a new Community Accrediation Scheme, the first of its kind in London.
The additional powers and legal protection were officially given to the teams on Monday which was recognised with a special ceremony, and now have the ability to stop and demand the name and address of anyone behaving in an anti-social manner.
The teams will also benefit from increased legal protection as it will be an offence to resist or obstruct staff in the course of their duties.
The scheme will give staff the powers to deal with issues on the spot without having to involve Hillingdon Police.
Paul Thomas, director of resources and operations at Brunel, said: "Our involvement in this scheme is a reflection of our commitment to continuing to ensure that a safe and secure environment and also to ensure that our security staff and their relationships with the local poice are of the very highest standards."
In order to participate in the scheme, Brunel Security staff received advanced training and were required to have reached approved standards of competence, training, supervision and accountability as well as undergoing enhanced vetting.
The staff will now display the national CSAS badge, and it is part of a Home Office initiative to promote and develop cooperation between police and their partners.
Detective Chief Superintendent Carl Bussey of Hillingdon Police, said: "This scheme will increase our enforcement capability for a range of anti-social behaviour issues. As Accredited Persons, the Security Staffat Brunel will be assisting with antisocial behaviour type issues. This will help to reduce crime, anti social behaviour and fear of crime. It will also reduce the need for police to attend such incidents, thus allowing police resources to be redeployed in other areas."
"Other police forces where CSAS has been introduced have already seen benefits and we hope to see the same in Hillingdon."
