Hampshire Police Authority - Crime Prevention Panel Item 7

23 May, 2002

Police Authority Crime Prevention Panel Policy on the Funding of Neighbourhood Wardens

Report of the Consultant to the Panel

1. Background

1.1. The Members of the Panel will be aware of a number of Government initiatives concerning the introduction of neighbourhood wardens, community support officers and other similar posts designed to deal with some of the issues associated with crime and the fear of crime particularly in residential areas.

1.2. The overall purpose of these appointments is to build community confidence by:

· Reducing crime and the fear of crime.

· Deterring anti-social behaviour.

· Caring for the physical appearance and management of the environment.

· Fostering social inclusion.

1.3. A pilot scheme already incorporating these principles is currently operating in the Paulsgrove area of Portsmouth and it is perhaps only a matter of time before the Police Authority Crime Prevention Panel receives an approach from an existing or proposed scheme for funding.

2. Policy

2.1. It is perhaps therefore appropriate that the Panel consider this issue at an early stage in order that the matter is clear for the officers of the Authority and prospective applicants.

2.2. The issue has already been considered by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Hampshire Constabulary, and the Government's Social Exclusion Unit Policy Action Team.

2.3. ACPO and Hampshire Constabulary accept that some problems associated with crime and the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour may be relieved through the presence of full-time recognisable "wardens" tasked with taking preventative action against crime and disorder and providing general assistance to residents. The establishment of neighbourhood warden schemes may have a beneficial impact providing they are working in conjunction with the police and other agencies and incorporating the fundamental principles identified by ACPO and the general principles of the Social Exclusion Units Policy Action Team.

2.4. Whilst the number and scope of such schemes will undoubtedly increase based upon locally expressed needs the question remains to be answered whether Police Authority funds administered by the Crime Prevention Panel should be used to financially support such organisations either in the long or short term.

2.5. Perhaps the clearest guidance for this already exists within the ACPO guidelines and the Social Exclusion Unit policy. The ACPO policy clearly indicates that street warden schemes should be funded from identifiable resources which do not involve any diminution of police budgets. The Social Exclusion Unit policy clearly indicates that the role of wardens should be to compliment other services not to replace them.

2.6. The clear inference of these carefully considered policies is that neighbourhood wardens should be funded from other than police budgets and the provision of neighbourhood wardens should be regarded as an addition not instead of properly constituted trained and accountable police officers.

RECOMMENDATION:

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the full Authority that for the reasons outlined above, whilst supporting the aims and objectives of neighbourhood warden schemes, Police Authority funds should not be used to initiate or support them.

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