Street Wardens to hit the streets in Leicestershire and Rutland as part of PCC’s Crime Prevention Initiative
Rupert Matthews, Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, has unveiled ambitious plans to complement local policing with Street Wardens in market towns across the force area.
Funded through his Crime Prevention Budget, Wardens will work 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. 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 will be linked to local CCTV, equipped with body-worn cameras, and trained in de-escalation, safeguarding and mental health awareness skills. Performance data gathered in the first year will guide future expansion.
A competitive tender process will begin shortly, with Wardens expected to be in place before Christmas.
Rupert 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.”
Ends
Background information
As this contract is due to go out to tender the exact budget cannot be confirmed at this time. Mr Matthews has indicated that it could be worth in the region of £2m.
The successful Security Industry Authority (SIA) Licenced Contractor will be responsible for ensuring the appropriate vetting as well as the training of all wardens supplied by them. A member of the PCC’s team will scrutinise the delivery of the contract and performance data.