West Surrey Police has given nine members of the security team at the University of Surrey in Guildford additional powers to combat crime and disorder and contribute to community safety, in the first scheme of its kind between a police force and a university anywhere in the country.

The launch of the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme last Friday marked the successful completion of a week-long training course by the nine candidates. This will allow Surrey Police’s Chief Constable to accredit them to use additional powers, including the power to require the name and address of a person acting in an anti-social manner, and the power to confiscate alcohol from young people under the age of 18, as problems have been experienced in the past with groups of youths congregating on campus. These powers will be reviewed on a regular basis.

Once accredited, the security team will be eligible to wear a special badge and will be in direct radio link with colleagues at Guildford Police Station.

The scheme allows the security officers to become part of the wider police family, acting as extra eyes and ears on the street, which it is hoped will lead to a reduction in crime and disorder. Those who have been given the training and additional powers should be better equipped to deal with issues on campus as well as having extra legal protection as it is an offence to assault, obstruct or wilfully deceive an accredited person. The scheme should also make those using the university feel safer.

West Surrey Chief Superintendent Kevin Deanus said: “This is the first scheme of its kind on a university campus and represents the very best in partnership working. This will allow the university security team and Surrey Police to better deal with matters on the campus, by having a closer working relationship which is backed up by legislation and the necessary logistical support. This will be of great benefit to the campus and the borough of Guildford as a whole. I would like to thank the candidates who put themselves forward voluntarily for this role and to congratulate them for their success on the recent course.”