You and I and the RPIs have the same "power of detention" as the PCSOs, so should it become necessary to make an arrest, the PCSOs are no more equipped than the rest of us to deal with that particular "public order issue". It was precisely the implied threat of 'proper coppers' appearing, with full powers of arrest, that finally got the result for the RPI - who, as I said, was the person in charge there and taking the decisions, not the PCSOs.
As has been said, the PCSOs have the additional power to detain whilst they await a Police Officer. The RPI has the power under the Regulation of Railways Act 1889 to do the same, but only if the detainee has not paid their fare, and is refusing to supply their name and address. But obviously, his TOC would frown upon him 'arresting' people....I'd imagine, given the likely implications this can cause.
The PCSOs also have additional methods of dealing with situations in certain circumstances that other staff do not have, such as the issuing of PNDs. I know from experience that it's not always the threat of Police being called that makes people comply, but the hi-vis jacket that looks like that of a Police Officer's.
The point I was trying to make was that the PCSOs were presumably there as extra assistance for issues such as these. They have a direct, immediate radio link with BTP control, and as such, if 'proper coppers' were needed, it would have been easier for them to get involved in the first instance, even if the RPI's phone call was a blag. It should never have got to the point where the RPI felt the need to either genuinely call, or pretend to call the local Police.
