David Higgins

1
RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL

• Neighbourhood Warden Service

2
ALARM Scotland Annual Conference

• Tuesday 21 September 2004
• Stirling.

3
Neighbourhood Wardens -Presentation Overview

• Renfrewshire Wardens
• Background / Funding
• Type of Scheme
• Community Engagement
• Impact of Service
• Looking Backwards
• Looking Forwards
• Summary of Key Points.

4
Renfrewshire Wardens

• Background
• January 2001 Inception
• Prepare bid to Scottish Executive Better
  Neighbourhood Services Fund
• December 2001 bid approved
• May 2002 management / admin staff appointed
• 1 July 2002 wardens appointed
• 29 July 2002 wardens on patrol.

5
Renfrewshire Wardens

• Funding Arrangements
• 1 x warden team (4 people) - 117k p.a.
• July 2002 BNSF 4 x warden teams
• March 2003 HRA 2 x warden teams
• April 2004 - BSSAC 4 x warden teams
• HRA funded Amenity Squads - 300k p.a.
• Total costs p.a. - 1.5m approx
• SUSTAINABILITY ?

6
Renfrewshire Wardens Operational Areas

• 1 Blackhall
• 2 Ferguslie
• 3 Foxbar
• 4 Gallowhill
• 5 Glenburn
• 6 Johnstone Castle
• 7 Johnstone West
• 8 Linwood
• 9 Moorpark
• 10 Millarston
• 11 Shortroods
• 12 Thrushcraigs
• 13 West End

9
4
11
2
8
13
1
10
12
7
6
3
5
7
Type of scheme

• Crime Prevention
• Reducing crime
• Tackling antisocial behaviour
• Reducing fear of crime
• Maintaining and improving public safety
• Highly visible presence ease of contact quick
  response
• Total involvement with community.

8
Community Engagement

• Patrols every day 230pm till midnight
• Respond to tenants needs / complaints
• Attend all tenant / public meetings
• Develop liaisons with
• Housing Officers Council / RSL
• ASIST Mediation Teams
• Community Police
• Social Work
• Family Support Service
• New Deal Deal Me In Initiative.

9
Impact of Service

• BNSF Annual Report 2003
• Key Indicators
• vandalism to housing stock - 43
• Vandalism reported to Police - 26
• Disorder reported to Police - 7
• Vehicle crime
  - 25
• Tenant / resident meetings 182
  
• Litter / special uplifts.
  2167

10
Looking Backwards

• Funding constraints lack of flexibility
• Volume of data / information handled
• Impact on departmental budgets
• Public demand to extend service
• Manage public expectations.

11
Looking Forwards

• Why were warden schemes developed?
• Will that need be reduced in future?
• Legislative pressures
• Criminal Justice (S) Act 2003
• Antisocial Behaviour (S) Act 2004
• Evolving role of the Police
• Evolving role of Wardens
• Plural Policing.

12
Looking Forwards

• Renfrewshire - future Warden role
• Major source of Community Intelligence
• Essential role to play in new legislative
  antisocial measures
• Acceptable Behaviour Contracts
• Antisocial Behaviour Orders
• Professional witness
• Other examples / links

13
Summary of Key Points

• Time to gain support of community
• eyes ears complementary service to wide
  range departments / agencies
• Seen by community to resolve problems and improve
  environment
• Supported by elected members, partners and
  communities.

14
Summary of Key Points

• Service has seen success in areas selected
  because of levels of crime and deprivation
• Future ?
• Development of integrated links with Police /
  Wardens / Services / Communities.

15
Lighter note to end

• Ferguslie Park Pantomime

16
Lighter note to end

• Quote from 1 pupil when asked what makes her
  feel safe
• Wardens in red
  vans.

17
Questions ?

• Only easy ones accepted !