Council urged to back wardens (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Council urged to back wardens

2:51pm Monday 3rd December 2007 in Letters

Sir.-It is with great sadness that I read about the council's plan to stop the community warden project.

As an ex-headteacher in South Ham, I feel the work they have done in that area is invaluable.

Our two community wardens knew the children in the area well and came into school on a regular basis. They ate breakfast with the children once a week at breakfast club, and would come to school at lunchtime to play organised games with them.

The children liked and trusted the wardens, feeling able to approach and talk to them.

The youngsters, unfortunately, did not feel as comfortable with police officers.

I believe that the area also benefited from the community wardens having a high profile.

They organised Christmas events which involved the whole community. Older people were able to share any of their concerns with them - matters that they felt were too minor to report to the police. Children who were causing trouble were spoken to and moved on and, generally, the whole area looked better and cleaner.

I would beg the council to reconsider its decision.

-Janella Thow,
via e-mail.