Council wardens are to be given extra powers to tackle anti-social behaviour as part of a new crackdown on crime in the area.
Nottinghamshire Police’s Chief Constable Craig Guildford yesterday conferred extra powers on Gedling Borough Council wardens and Antisocial Behaviour Officers to help them tackle issues in the local area.
Under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS), which was introduced by the Police Reform Act 2002, the neighbourhood wardens will now have the powers similar to that of a PCSO.
It gives them the powers to issue on the spot fines and also confiscate alcohol and cigarette products from youngsters.
Similar powers have previously been granted to Community Protection Officers in the city and Ashfield, and wardens in Mansfield.
The move is part of a joint initiative between Gedling Borough Council and Nottinghamshire Police to tackle local issues and improve community safety.
Police also announced they have moved a team of response officers into Jubilee House in Arnold to create a partnership hub.
The hub is made up of response and neighbourhood policing teams from Nottinghamshire Police, and community protection and CCTV teams from Gedling Borough Council. The collaboration will see teams attending joint briefings and tasking meetings to work together to tackle issues across Gedling through a more co-ordinated approach.
Two contact points have also been installed at the Council’s civic centre, one in the main reception and one outside the main building so residents can contact the local police control centre.
Chief Constable Craig Guildford hopes the new joint initiatives will help tackle crime in the local area.
He said: “I am very pleased to be able to give accreditation to the wardens from Gedling Borough Council today.
“This, and the co-location of our neighbourhood and response teams with Gedling Borough Council, is just another step towards working more closely with our partners across the county – a cornerstone of our local policing approach which came into force earlier this year.”
Councillor Dave Ellis, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection at Gedling Borough Council said: “The Council and Police work together well and have a history of successes in tackling crime and antisocial behaviour in the borough.
“Bringing the response team into the hub and giving our wardens additional powers builds on this track record. Together we are determined to keep our residents safe.”
Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for the Gedling, Steven O’Neill said: “It’s great that the wardens have been given new ways to work with us to tackle local issues.
“The neighbourhood policing and council teams have been working together out of the same location for a while now, but it’s great to have our response colleagues join us.
“This provides an even better opportunity to deliver local policing that is focused around the issues that affect the residents of Gedling and this will help to create a safer and better place to live, work and visit.”
