Police recruit 16-year-old support officers
The PCSOs will be able to direct traffic despite not being drivers
Labour was accused of a "reckless" attitude to public safety last night after it emerged that a girl and and a boy aged only 16 and just out of school have been recruited to help police patrol the streets.
The teenagers, who have joined Thames Valley constabulary as community support officers, also reignited the row over "policing on the cheap" as politicians and rank-and-file leaders questioned their suitability.
The appointments, by Thames Valley Police, have sparked fears that police forces and the Government are trying to get "police on the cheap".
The youngsters, currently being trained, will join foot patrols from a "busy" Berkshire police station and will have the authority to detain and question suspects. The appointments, by Thames Valley Police, have sparked fears that police forces and the Government are trying to get "police on the cheap".
Although they cannot drink, drive or vote, they will have the power to stop and search under anti-terror laws, issue penalty notices for disorder, stop vehicles and confiscate alcohol from under 18s.
A Thames Valley spokesman said the teenagers, who will earn around £10,000 a year, had been selected to work as police community support officers (PCSOs) because they had the necessary skills.
"They bring experience of being able to interact with the public, especially young people," the spokesman added. "If you are good enough you are old enough."
But most of the other 43 forces in England and Wales said they would not employ a PCSO under the age of 18, though Humberside has a 17-year-old on the beat.
While an applicant for the regular police force must be at least 18, younger teenagers can be recruited as PCSOs at the chief constable’s discretion.
Home Office guidance says: 'Recruitment of PCSOs is based on the skills, ability and competency to fulfil the requirements of the post.
"If a candidate can demonstrate the appropriate competencies and level of maturity required for the role, age should not be a factor. It is recommended therefore that forces do not apply a minimum age of recruitment for PCSOs as this would be difficult to justify."
However, Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation, representing 139,000 rank-and-file officers, said 16-year-olds did not have the skills to go on the front line.
"To expect someone so young to put on a police uniform and patrol the streets is a few steps too far," she said. "It puts pressure on them as they have neither the maturity or experience to deal with situations they are likely to confront. This means they are more likely to let down their colleagues and the public."
David Davis, the shadow home secretary, said: "We want to see as many police officers and PCSOs as possible. But they must be able to do the job and have the confidence of colleagues and the public."
He added: "There are important ways for young people to contribute to their communities. But recruiting 16-years-olds to frontline policing puts them and those around them at risk. It defies common-sense and speaks volumes about the Government’s reckless approach to public safety."
There are around 8,000 PCSOs in England and Wales and the Government wants to double this number by next year.
They do not have the full powers of a sworn constable but can detain suspects for up to half an hour until a police officer arrives.
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Monday, August 20th, 2007
Police recruit 16-year-old support officers
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