Rail network CSOs using handcuffs

British Transport Police are the first to issue handcuffs to CSOs

Civilian community support officers (CSOs) attached to British Transport Police (BTP) have become the first in England and Wales to use handcuffs.

About 160 CSOs patrolling trains and stations were issued handcuffs last month and have used them several times.

CSOs can use "reasonable force" to detain people for up to 30 minutes.

However, the Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, is concerned CSOs lack the experience to handle situations requiring handcuffs.

'Eyes and ears'

Previously handcuffs have only been available to fully-sworn police officers.

BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the move was "another sign that civilian staff are taking on roles traditionally performed by fully-sworn police officers".

Powers allowing CSOs to detain people for 30 minutes, until a police officer arrives, were extended to all England and Wales' forces last year.

At the time, the Police Federation said civilian officers should act as "eyes and ears" for the police and not be placed in "potentially confrontational situations".

Conflict concern

BTP Police Federation leader Alex Robertson said the handcuffs decision was "a further erosion of police powers".

"Using handcuffs is a far more aggressive intervention with suspects and that in itself is a slippery slope towards out-and-out confrontation," he said.

"If after 30 minutes, officers have not turned up, then the suspects must be released - and that is all the ingredients for a very severe public confrontation, to put it mildly."

In contrast to the BTP change, Lancashire Constabulary has withdrawn CSOs ability to use force to detain suspects to "reduce the potential for conflict to arise".

However, the government defended the handcuffs move saying it would give the civilian officers "just that little bit of edge".

'Limited evidence'

CSO posts were created by former Home Secretary David Blunkett and began patrols in 2002.

There are about 3,500 in England and Wales but the government intends to have 25,000 on the streets by 2008 at a cost of £50m.

They already have powers to hand out fines for a wide range of offences.

In December, a Home Office study said there was "limited evidence" CSOs had helped to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

Some sections of the Police Federation have opposed their introduction.