The Future of Wardening? ...

Hi Colin and Steve, and thanks for this. We'll be undertaking some more detailed research in the coming weeks with wardens to bring together the benefits of local schemes into a research paper and shooting a video with wardens to illustrate some of the common themes that come from this. I'll keep you posted as this firms up. Perhaps you can take part in this? Regards. A

As Steve has mentioned the warden scheme in Merton has transferred over to Merton Priory Homes.
We are now fortunate to be in a position where we are looking to increase the staff numbers instead of decreasing them. We have got new equipment that will allow us to make our jobs more efficient and help the community more. For example we have introduced the use of head cameras to help the wardens capture and then identify perpetrators, as well as a camera for our warden van.
We have also been issued with new mobile phones which allow us to access our emails on the go, and helps keep each warden up to date with knowledge whilst out and about patrolling. The new phones also allow envirocrimes to be reported instantly allowing other departments to take action faster.
However all this could not have been done without the residents wanting the scheme in the first place. When the local authority was asking the residents about transferring the housing stock to a new housing association, it was the residents who said that they demanded the wardens to move across with them. This proves how vital the residents feel we are in the community at enhancing their life chances. Hard work, dedication and a can do attitude over the years has meant we are in this position and with our new tools, I’m sure that the residents will continue to thank the wardens for making Merton one of the safest boroughs in London.

If any cuts to local authorities mean they are threatened with losing their warden services perhaps they should follow the example we in Merton have had to go down. The warden service transferred from the council to a newly created housing association (HA), Merton Priory Homes, which has taken over the management of council housing stock. The warden service was considered integral to the delivery of the aims and objectoves of the housing association. I think what I am trying to say is that just because a local authority cannot fund a warden service it does not mean it cannot be provided. Housing Associations generally have more resources available so it could just be that a HA takes over the management of a wafrden service thbut remain in partnership with the local authority on how the service might be delivered. Now we are with the HA we are actually looking to expand the service so it is not all doom and gloom.

Hi Minerva and Dave. Really interesting. This feedback is very useful. Thanks and keep it coming.

Minerva Brown. T.L. Southwark Wardens Service.

Our Southwark Wardens service is an area all should be proud of. Majority of Officers strive hard & go that extra mile in order to reach & achieve if not exceed expectations put before them so our customers can come first, as well as feeling that their voices, & opinions have been justly put forward, heard & actioned by the Community Wardens to deter crime & the fear of crime. We where instrumental in aiding, assisting, & leading in the recent 2009 Borough fires of which displaced 100's of residents. We are usually first at the scene of incidence or join in cordon controls to free our MET cousins to continue with an investigation. We go out into the community up until 2230Hrs without specialised protective wear like the MET in order to deter crime & ASB issues. We liaise closely with our sister departments within the Council, SASBU,Housing,Enforcement, Trading standards, Mediation to name a few & local community partners such as YOT, YIP, Connexions, & our elderly partner Safeguarding initiatives as well as migrants under St Population in order to strive & fulfil the greener, cleaner, Safer initiatives & Crime reduction Policies our public customers, members have become used to. To topple all that we also ensure Environmental crime is also observed & reported for clearing or fixing to deter the broken window theory taking hold within a local community of which encourages crime & ASB. As Southwark's Community Protection Wardens have taken quite a serious battering on our current reorganisation of which is not quite completed. It would be in the publics best interest to keep your local Wardens service around for a bit longer. It may save a few million pounds all round. But it would take far far more expenditure to put the community right, or back on track if the public choose to be rid of their loyal Wardens who have put themselves on the line to receive the abuse & be the targets, so our customers, traders, taxpayers & visitors to the local Borough are safer, free to go about their normal business, free to speak & contact their Wardens with their issues & concerns & in turn, know they will get a reply/action & or follow up visit guaranteed. Allot of Services private or public would find it hard to honour the same conduct as we do.

I wish all my fellow Warden Officers far & wide every success for the future. At least we can say we have definitely earned it:)

The impression i get is that the new government are going to stop directing local authorities and let them make their own decisions about where to spend money. Block grant will I understand no longer be divided between the various sections of spending. That means it is for us to persuade our local authorities we are indeed the best thing since sliced bread.

My recommendations therefore to each and every warden service is prove to your employer you are the most valuable resource that they have. Earn your keep and prove that your absence will leave a hole in front line services.

Within Southwark i believe we ensure that the borough stays clean and safe and help police to keep crime down. We need to keep on doing that. We have just been reorganised so the chances are we are safe for a year. However the next year will prove fresh challenges and pressures on resources.

If we are to get a smaller share of the pot then we need to go for a planned retreat to prevent wholesale destruction. Look for new ways of providing value for money. Slicker ways of doing things. A forward looking cheerful service with a willingness to adapt and improve will survive. Good luck our there. DP

Thanks for the Lewisham perspective, Teddy Bazz. We'll be collating all of the comments made into a report which will also be available free to everyone so interested. Keep the comments coming.

The wardens in Lewisham are the best they work with every aspect of the community
older people, younger people, vulnerable residents, people with disabilities, from all cultures and backgrounds,

the Wardens service help signpost to partner organisation like connexions NHS, environmental services, Job centre plus , Social Services, the police & PCSO’s
Lewisham’s Anti- social behaviour action Team (ASBAT) , meals on wheels ,
Housing & other registered social land lords (RSL), Youth services, youth offending service, fire service, criminal justice system, community safety,
Interpreters, and faith groups, mediation services, noise abetment, other council services like repairs , council tax, and benefits agencies, schooling and training providers. Youth diversion & out of school activities.

The warden service share information regarding anti social behaviour and are a visible presence to deter crime and anti-social behaviour often making people in the community feel safer they are friendly and often the first place the community will go to when issues arise

The warden service in Lewisham cover all 18 wards with a designated hot spot team
That can be deployed to any area that is suffering anti social behaviour.
Also designated area wardens that cover areas that need attention
They will work with tenants and resident associations & partners to help tackle the issues the individual area is suffering often being the first group to report and have removed fly tipping & graffiti, abandoned vehicles making Lewisham a clean and friendly place to work shop and visit

This is why I think that London is a better place because of our dedicated community wardens
That are out on the street making us feel safer and better aware of facilities that are available to use within the community