Neighbourhood wardens could begin patrolling every town centre in Wandsworth, after the success of a trial scheme.
Wandsworth Council’s Labour administration has pledged to roll out the service across the borough to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, if it wins the local elections in May.
The council said its introduction of wardens in Balham earlier this month under a six-month pilot, costing £170,000, was already making residents feel safer, supporting retail security staff and deterring antisocial behaviour.
It launched the pilot after locals raised concerns about perceived rises in levels of antisocial behaviour, street cleanliness and enforcement of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) through the Balham Forum.
The team is made up of the council’s parks police constables, with extra support from council officers. They patrol Balham four days a week at peak times, including after school, commuter windows and in the evening.
The wardens speak to residents and businesses, provide targeted education and intervention and use enforcement powers where necessary to address antisocial behaviour. They also direct people to services that can help them, including rough sleepers.
Labour Council Leader Simon Hogg said: “Wandsworth is one of the safest inner London boroughs, but we know residents are concerned about issues like fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour. I am really excited to announce that Wandsworth Labour will extend our neighbourhood wardens across all of our high streets.
“Local residents, businesses and families have told us that uniformed officers make residents feel safer, businesses have a friendly face to help them and issues can be resolved quickly to make our high streets welcoming for all.”
The administration said some residents had since asked to see wardens patrolling all of Wandsworth’s town centres, which it says it would introduce if it remains in charge of the authority after the elections.
The success of the pilot in Balham will also be formally assessed using performance indictors, including resident feedback, breaches of PSPOs, enhanced referrals to support services and incidences of shoplifting and fly-tipping.
Credit: Wandsworth Council
Labour won control of Wandsworth from the Conservatives for the first time in 44 years in May 2022. Whether the group remains in control of the authority will be decided on May 7, when all 58 seats of the council across 22 wards are up for election.
Plans to roll out wardens across the borough would need to be drawn up in more detail, along with funds and further approval to go ahead.
