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
Formed1991 (original), 2019 (re-formed)
Preceding agency
  • Parks Police Service (2013-2019)
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionEngland, UK
Legal jurisdictionparks within Kensington and Chelsea
Governing bodyRoyal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Community Safety Department
Constituting instrument
  • Section 18, Ministry of Housing and Local Government Provisional Order Confirmation (Greater London Parks and Open Spaces) Act 1967
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersParks Police Service, The Stable Yard, Holland Park
Constables11
Facilities
Stations1
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]

The specific duties include:

  • reporting crime within the parks
  • dealing with anti-social behaviour
  • detaining offenders
  • enforcing bye-laws and the dog control public spaces protection orders
  • security at park events
  • dog chipping and dog shows
  • attending park user group meetings
  • crime prevention
  • lost property in parks
  • truancy patrols.[3]

Powers

Members of the constabulary are sworn in as constables under article 18 of the Greater London Parks and Open Spaces Order 1967,[4] 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.[5]

RBKC Parks Police Nissan X-Trail, (this vehicle was in service with RBKC Parks Police before the 2013 merger)

Uniform and Equipment

The Constables wear a typical British police uniform, which includes:[6][7]

  • 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 capbadge (male)
  • black bowler cap with black and white chequered capband with RBKC Parks Police capbadge (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,[8] as well as handcuffs, radios and other police equipment.

Parks Police use vehicles to patrol, as well as carrying out usual foot patrols.

Ranks

There are two ranks within the RBKC Parks Police.[9]

Sergeant
PS Epaulette
Parks Constable
PC Epaulette

Relationship with other police

The parks are not a separate police area and as such are part of the Metropolitan Police District. Therefore the Metropolitan Police are ultimately statutorily responsible for policing the parks and the investigation of crime committed within them. The RBKC Parks Police between 2013 and 2019 was merged with the Hammersmith and Fulham Parks Constabulary.

See also

References
  1. 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
  2. https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks-police-service
  3. https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks-police-service
  4. The 1967 order is scheduled to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government Provisional Order Confirmation (Greater London Parks and Open Spaces) Act 1967
  5. http://www.londoninformer.co.uk/london-news/london-local-news/2009/03/17/rumble-in-the-holland-park-jungle-113489-23165743/
  6. Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea [@RBKC] (8 April 2020). "Thank you to our parks police for keeping our green spaces safe!👏 And thanks to our residents for social distancing while going out for their hour of exercise. It really makes a difference & we're glad our parks can serve as a place to keep spirits up!🌳 #Londontogether t.co/hlC7HNEoKh" (Tweet). Retrieved 29 December 2020 – via Twitter.
  7. https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks-police-service
  8. Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea [@RBKC] (17 September 2015). "Bow-wow to all for a fab Kensington Memorial Park dog show Thanks Parks Police for organising t.co/nyDEqv1F5U t.co/3KAkxcOO39" (Tweet). Retrieved 29 December 2020 – via Twitter.
  9. https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks-police-service
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