MOVES to give more council officers wider-ranging powers will take away responsibilities that should be left to the police, it’s been claimed.

Councillor Ivan Henderson has concerns over a decision by Tendring District Council (TDC) to more than treble the number of staff able to issue fines for low-level offences.

TDC now has 11 officers – opposed to three previously – able to hand out fixed penalty notices for anti-social behaviour, dog fouling and graffiti.

Cllr Henderson, leader of Labour on TDC, said: “I’m a bit concerned we’re now asking our staff to confront anti-social behaviour problems when in my view that should fall under the police and community support officers. I welcome this as long as those powers are used appropriately and our council staff are not put in vulnerable positions within the community.”

Council officers are handed the powers under the Police Community Safety Accreditation Scheme, which sees chief constables grant powers to non-police organisations.

Pam Sambridge, TDC’s cabinet member for technical services, said: “This has to be good for everyone and the more officers who have these powers, the better.”