New wardens 'not there to do the police's job'

Street wardens Jayden Jermy and Dalton Campen patrol Thetford high street and nearby parks to try to reduce anti-social behaviour

The Home Office is funding civilian "safer street wardens" across parts of a county.

New roles in Breckland will work to deter street drinking and shoplifting using frequent high-profile patrols.

The project is being led by Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner.

The scheme has received attention on social media with some welcoming the patrols - while others saying what is really needed is more police.

Posts on social media discussing the new street warden role in Thetford

Street wardens Jayden Jermy and Dalton Campen have been out on patrol since May this year.

Mr Jermy said wardens had already made a big difference, particularly on shoplifting rates.

"We've been into Iceland, for example, and they say we've had a massive impact just because of our presence," he said.

The wardens wear body cameras to gather evidence of crime, as well as radios, which communicate directly with police control rooms.

The pair carry out checks on shops thought to be selling cigarettes and vapes to underage customers and issue fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping and street drinking.

Mr Campen added: "We're here to intervene and prevent.

"We're not carrying handcuffs, we're not here to arrest anyone. Our role is completely separate from police."

Keely Dean's business has been affected by vandalism and street drinkers

The street wardens fulfil a similar role to Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

Norfolk's 150 PCSOs were axed in 2018 because they had become too expensive.

Keely Dean runs the Riverside Kiosk in Thetford.

She said street drinkers often sat near her business, putting off customers - and recently the kiosk awning was vandalised.

She said patrols by the street wardens had helped.

"I think it just puts the drinkers off a bit more and makes it just safer for people," she said.

"It's just nice to have a bit of authority."

James Harding from Breckland Council says the feedback from shop staff and locals in Thetford has been very positive

James Harding is the senior community and environmental enforcement officer for Breckland council.

"They are there to do a job which keeps the community safe," he said.

"They're not there to do the police's job. They are there to act as a beacon for the public, to advise, offer guidance and support.

"But also to identify problems when they arise."

A spokesperson for Norfolk Police said: "We are in contact with the Safer Street Wardens in Thetford, as we are several different partners – community groups, businesses, and organisations - to support our communities, share helpful information and work together."

Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Sarah Taylor, who runs this scheme in collaboration with Breckland Council, currently has an ongoing consultation to set the county's policing priorities.

She wants anyone with views about the street wardens or worries about crime in their area to take part.