POWERS that were once only available to the police are to be handed to council officers in an attempt to tackle anti-social behaviour.

From now on it will be a criminal offence for a person not to give their name when asked by an accredited officer of Epping Forest District Council if they are suspected of anti-social behaviour.

Officers must be vetted by the police before they are allowed the new powers and they must carry an identification card stating their name and confirming what powers they have been granted by Essex Police.

A spokesman for the district council said that officers in the council’s environment and neighbourhoods section would be granted the powers to deal with incidents such as littering, dogs fouling, fly posting and graffiti.

Officers will also be able to use the powers to help enforce the new alcohol control zones in Epping parks.