Street Warden scheme is planned in £2million plans based on Ashby 'experience'

By The View, Leicestershire

PLANS to complement local policing with Street Wardens in market towns across Leicestershire have been unveiled.

And Rupert Matthews, Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, says a similar scheme in Ashby has shown it works.

But he has also made it clear the project will not replace police officers.

Funded through his Crime Prevention Budget, the £2million scheme would see Wardens working at targeted times and locations, guided by crime data and public feedback, to maximise impact.

Mr Matthews said there was strong evidence that Street Wardens provide a cost-effective, practical and community-focused response to the challenges facing market towns. 

He says that experiences from Middlesbrough, Newcastle, North Devon, and ‘closer to home’ in Ashby, Melton Mowbray and Hinckley show they deter anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and low-level crime, freeing up police time by preventing issues before they escalate.

Working in pairs, Wardens would be linked to local CCTV, equipped with body-worn cameras, and trained in de-escalation, safeguarding and mental health awareness skills. 

The PCCC says performance data gathered in the first year will guide future expansion.

A competitive tender process is to begin shortly, with Wardens expected to be in place before Christmas.

Mr Matthews said: “From the outset, I have been clear that crime prevention is my overriding priority. 

“By preventing crime, we reduce pressure not only on policing but also on other emergency services, the criminal justice system and probation, and social care.

“I am confident that Street Wardens will play an effective role in strengthening crime prevention and boosting community confidence across our two counties. 

“Evidence from areas where they are already established shows that their visible presence deters crime, while their ability to defuse tense situations helps reduce violence and anti-social behaviour.

“I should emphasise that Street Wardens are not a replacement for police officers, but they are a valuable complement, easing demand on police resources. 

“Residents consistently tell me they want a visible, reassuring presence on their streets, which prevents crime and helps them feel safe.

“While I cannot stipulate where police officers are deployed or have any say over whether they should be called away from their patrol duties to other incidents, I can ensure that these Street Wardens remain a highly visible, reassuring presence in the areas where public feedback and data shows they are needed.”