Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Parks Police
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Parks Police is a body of constables responsible for policing the parks and open spaces of the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. In 2013, it was merged with the Hammersmith and Fulham Parks Constabulary to form the Parks Police Service. Then, in July 2019 The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Parks Police moved away from The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Parks Constabulary, once again becoming a single service[1].
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Parks Police | |
---|---|
Agency overview | |
Formed | 2019 (re-formed) |
Preceding agency |
|
Jurisdictional structure | |
Operations jurisdiction | England, UK |
Legal jurisdiction | parks within Kensington and Chelsea |
Governing body | Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea |
Constituting instrument |
|
General nature |
|
Headquarters | Parks Police Service, The Stable Yard, Holland Park |
Constables | 11 |
Facilities | |
Stations | 1 |
Website | |
https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks-police-service |
Organisation and Duties
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Parks Police is part of the Community Safety Department and provides a uniformed body of constables across parks and open spaces in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, to detect and deter crime. The Parks Police consists of two Sergeants and nine Constables[2].
Powers
Members of the constabulary are sworn in as constables under article 18 of the Greater London Parks and Open Spaces Order 1967,[3] meaning they have powers of a constable to deal with bye-laws relating to parks and open spaces under their control. They are not police officers, but are constables providing a police service and as such do have the powers of arrest, power to seize illicit drugs, carry weapons (such as batons) etc.
In 2008, the constabulary made 30 arrests, mainly for possession of drugs, minor thefts and antisocial behaviour.[4]
Uniform and Equipment
The Constables wear a typical British police uniform, which includes[5][6]:
- white shirt
- black tie (male) or crevat (female)
- dark blue or black trousers
- black peaked cap with black and white chequered capband with RBKC Parks Police capbagde (male)
- black bowler cap with black and white chequered capband with RBKC Parks Police capbagde (female)
- black or dark blue trousers
- black stab vest with RBKC Parks Police logo and wording
- high-visibility jackets
Park Police constables are warranted constables and therefore carry batons[7], as well as handcuffs, radios and other police equipment.
Parks Police use vehicles to patrol, as well as carrying out usual foot patrols.
Relationship with other police
Generally in London, parks police/constabularies will pass on all serious crime to the local territorial force, which in this case is the Metropolitan Police to investigate. The RBKC Parks Police between 2013 and 2019 was merged with the Hammersmith and Fulham Parks Constabulary.
See also
- Policing in the United Kingdom
- List of police forces in the United Kingdom
References
- https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/committees/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=y4LeUyIuUdA3KBGHXG9OzEntHSHsipFZLZC%2FTvRzyP45CHkAjxr%2B%2Bw%3D%3D&rUzwRPf%2BZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3D%3D=pwRE6AGJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ%2FLUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3D%3D&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3D%3D=hFflUdN3100%3D&kCx1AnS9%2FpWZQ40DXFvdEw%3D%3D=hFflUdN3100%3D&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2BAJvYtyA%3D%3D=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&FgPlIEJYlotS%2BYGoBi5olA%3D%3D=NHdURQburHA%3D&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYmz=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&WGewmoAfeNQ16B2MHuCpMRKZMwaG1PaO=ctNJFf55vVA%3D
- https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks-police-service
- The 1967 order is scheduled to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government Provisional Order Confirmation (Greater London Parks and Open Spaces) Act 1967
- http://www.londoninformer.co.uk/london-news/london-local-news/2009/03/17/rumble-in-the-holland-park-jungle-113489-23165743/
- https://twitter.com/RBKC/status/1247837893512626176/photo/1
- https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks-police-service
- https://twitter.com/RBKC/status/644467255829504000/photo/3