Found this on't Interweb. I dare say there is an equivalent for England. Seems sensible to me if the aim is to ensure safety of the riders and reduce costs by not employing proper Plod. Hardly any point in having marshals for a race if people can ignore them with impunity.
Community Safety Accreditation Scheme
The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, which inserted new paragraphs into the Police Reform Act 2002 created the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme. This is often referred to as “CSAS”.
This legislation allows Chief Constables to confer powers normally only available to the Police Service on accredited persons who are employed by accredited companies. The Chief Constable may confer a number of powers ranging from the issue of Fixed Penalty Notices to the stopping and directing of vehicles and the stopping of pedestrians using a road.
Welsh Cycling was granted Accredited Company status in Gwent Police Force area in March 2007. In April 2009 Welsh Cycling was granted Accredited Company status by all the Welsh Police force areas and to this day continues to be accredited throughout Wales.
The powers conferred on Welsh Cycling’s Accredited Cycle Marshals are;
1. The power of a constable engaged in the regulation of traffic in a road to direct a person driving or propelling a vehicle to stop the vehicle or make it proceed in, or keep to, a particular line of traffic.
2. The power of a constable in uniform engaged in the regulation of vehicular traffic in a road to direct a person on foot to stop proceeding along or across the carriageway.
If individuals neglect or refuse to comply with directions given then the following offences will be committed;
1. Section 35 provides the offences of drivers neglecting or refusing to comply with traffic directions given by an accredited person
2. Section 37 provides the offence of persons on foot and other traffic failing to obey directions given by an accredited person
3. Paragraph 3A Sc 5 Police Reform Act 2002 enables accredited persons to require the name and address of a person who fails to follow directions
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. How does a company become accredited?
A. The company has to apply to the Police Forces where it wishes to be accredited. It has to satisfy strict criteria that show that the company is suitable to receive accredited status by providing the Police with their organisational polices and procedures, insurance certificates etc, conducts a course of business requires such powers applied for, that it will be of benefit to the community and NEEDS the powers to conduct its business.
Q. How does someone become an Accredited Person? A. Like the company, that person has to apply to become an accredited person and satisfy the Police Service that they are a suitable person. There has to be terms and conditions/contract in place
This includes the requirement for the terms and conditions to be signed by the
applicants and they need to pass security vetting to the required standard.
When the accreditation is granted the Cycle Marshal will need to wear a high visibility uniform displaying the nationally recognised accreditation badge.
It is essential to note the Cycle Marshals can only exercise their powers when an event is endorsed by Welsh Cycling.
Q. Is there any training involved?
A. Yes. The training has to be appropriate to the powers being conferred. In the case of Accredited Cycle Marshals they receive a full days training which includes an input on legislation, risk assessment, conflict management and practical exercises in stopping and directing traffic and pedestrians. A knowledge check is also carried out.
Q. Why aren’t the Police managing the traffic on such events?
A. The Association of Police Officers (ACPO) have made a policy decision that they will not normally carry out traffic control duties at pre-planned events. This is in order to concentrate their resources on their core duties of dealing with crime and disorder.
Q. I have heard that the Police don’t actually have the powers to stop and direct traffic at pre-planned events. Is that right?
A. Legal advice from the Home Office is that current legislation does confer the power on the Police to carry out traffic control duties at pre-planned events.
Q. Do the CSAS accredited cycle marshals have the power to stop and direct traffic at pre-planned events?
A. Yes. The legislation and the advice from the Home Office is that the CSAS cycle marshals have the powers conferred on them by the scheme when at authorised events. In the case of cycle races in Wales this means that they must be Welsh Cycling endorsed events.
Q. Wouldn’t it be easier to have a road closure for cycle races and other events on the roads?
A. Most cycling racing on road does and many other events do not require a road closure. The traffic only needs to be stopped briefly whilst the race or event passes. Events that require exclusive use of the road for prolonged periods will need road closures e.g. street parties.
