Four new Street Wardens from Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council have been given powers by Hertfordshire Constabulary under the nationally recognised Community Safety Accreditation Scheme, to help improve community safety in the area. The scheme promotes working partnerships between the local police, local authorities and security companies that operate within the community. By being given targeted police powers, an accredited person is better equipped to deal with issues such as anti-social behaviour, disorder and nuisance with the potential to address certain issues on the spot without the involvement of the police.

 

The Street Wardens were presented with their certificates and identity cards displaying their new powers by Chief Inspector for Welwyn Hatfield, Dave Wheatley, at a presentation ceremony held at Hatfield Police station on Tuesday (December 4). The four new officers, two Senior Wardens Steve Wilding and Rob Riches, and Street Wardens Claire Metcalfe and Jim Nash, were recently appointed to make a new team of five. They typically patrol the borough’s streets throughout the day, from early morning until late into the evening. The aim of the team is to provide a reassuring presence, promoting community safety and improving the street environment. They are also responsible for keeping the borough safe and clean, supporting those who are vulnerable and elderly and deterring anti-social behaviour in public places. To achieve the accreditation status, they all completed an intense two day training course provided by Hertfordshire Constabulary. They now have the power to enforce the Alcohol Control Zone in Hatfield Town Centre, which allows the wardens to request people to stop drinking alcohol in the area, and if not, confiscate their alcohol, as well as confiscating tobacco and alcohol from children, and to acquire the names and addresses of any persons behaving in an anti-social manner or who is causing damage or loss to property.

By wearing the approved badge and carrying an identification card stating the powers that have been granted by Hertfordshire Constabulary, it will be instantly recognisable that the individual has satisfied strict criteria and approved police vetting, standards of competence, training and management. Chief Inspector Dave Wheatley said: “We are delighted that Steve, Rob, Claire and Jim have become accredited with Hertfordshire Constabulary. Working alongside the police by sharing information with the local neighbourhood teams, the street wardens can jointly address any important issues arising in the local community, and in the long run ensure people feel safe when out and about in the borough.”

Councillor Colin Couch, Executive Member for Environment, said: “Our Street Wardens do an excellent job around the borough, helping to maintain and build good community relations by working in partnership, not just with the police, but with a number of different groups such as youth groups and local schools, residents associations, local businesses and drug action groups. This accreditation will help the team provide a more comprehensive service.”

By Hertfordshire Police