Wardens to make communities safer

Aug 22 2008 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

GOOD progress is being made towards the introduction of the new Community Warden Service, a meeting of the Housing and Health Committee was told this week.

Earlier this year, Perth and Kinross Council agreed to introduce Community Wardens in two additional areas: Muirton and North Muirton and Rattray.

Each area will be given a senior community warden and five community wardens.

Local communities are being consulted and informed about how the wardens will work and the first public meeting was held in Rattray yesterday, with the second being held at 7pm on August 25 at the Riverside Church, Bute Drive, Perth.

It is anticipated that the new wardens will start work at the beginning of September and will immediately undertake a three-week training course.

The role of Community Wardens is to support communities and help prevent crime and fear of crime, by making people aware of the consequences of their behaviour on others, and by acting as a local point of contact for vulnerable households and residents with concerns.

By implementing initiatives which target specific groups and areas, they can have a major impact on reducing the level of offending and anti-social behaviour.

Community Wardens have patrolled Letham and Hillyland in Perth since 2004. Last year's annual performance review of the Perth and Kinross Anti-social Behaviour Strategy showed that complaints of youths causing annoyance fell by 46.2% in the two areas.

Housing and Health vice-convener, Councillor Alasdair Wylie, said: “This is another important step in the work we are undertaking with our partners to promote community safety in Perth and Kinross.

“There is little doubt the introduction of wardens into Muirton/North Muirton and Rattray will bring many benefits.”