FOR the first time in nearly 80 years, York Minster Police now hold the same powers as regular police constables within the cathedral’s precinct – including the power of arrest.

Constables in the private police force, who have recently undergone specialist training, were attested by Duncan Webster, chairman of the North Yorkshire Bench, at a ceremony in the Minster’s 13th-century Chapter House.

Each constable swore an oath on the 1,000 year old York Gospels before receiving their warrant card, constable’s hat and a certificate.

Established in the 13th-century, the Minster Police constabulary is thought to be the oldest continuing police service in the country and a forerunner of the modern police force established by Sir Robert Peel in 1829.

The Cathedral Constables were sworn in as constables until the 1930s, when they ceased to be attested.

Mark Sutcliffe, Inspector of Cathedral Police at the Minster, said it was an important day for everyone involved but also a significant milestone in the history of the force, which had played an important role in life at the cathedral for hundreds of years.

“York Minster is one of only seven cathedrals in the world to maintain its own police force, which works closely with North Yorkshire Police to keep the cathedral and the thousands of people who visit it every year from around the world safe,” he said.