Tackling the yobs to make our streets a safer place to be

Roaming wardens aim to improve community safety and deter anti-social behaviour, says David Irving. He tells Jane Bell about the jobs now available on the team

Community Safety Roaming Warden David Irving on patrol in Belfast

David Irving, Community Safety Roaming Warden (Belfast City Council)

What are the aims and objectives of the roaming wardens scheme?

The project aims to contribute to the reduction of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in targeted areas of the city. We do this through high visibility patrols which reassure communities and deter possible ASB. The wardens work with communities and other agencies to deliver solutions to identified problems. We also gather evidence for enforcement action by wardens or other authorities such as PSNI or NIHE.

When was it launched and what measurable success has there been to date?

The project began in June 2007 and the wardens' first patrols were in July. Feedback to date has been extremely positive, 77% of residents felt that the wardens' presence had reduced their fear of crime and 83% wanted the wardens to return to their area.

How many teams exist and where and when do they operate?

There is currently one team of five wardens who all happen to be male but the posts are open to anyone. There are two female wardens in our Holyland scheme. Staff are based in the city centre and travel to different areas of the city. We work Thursday to Sunday nights from 6pm until midnight.

How do you go about targeting areas to patrol?

We patrol specific areas of Belfast for up to two months at a time. Patrol areas are of a size that allows us to patrol each street twice each evening. We work with local communities, NIHE, PSNI and different council departments to identify priority areas where the wardens will have an impact.

How important is it to work in co-operation with the local community? How is this achieved?

The wardens make contact with local community representatives before going to work in an area and make local people aware of their work through leaflet drops and patrols. This gives the wardens in-depth knowledge of the area's issues or problems and is crucial in planning patrols and solving local community safety concerns.

What issues take up most of the wardens' time? Are there seasonal trends or weekend patterns?

The wardens work Thursday-Sunday when low-level anti-social behaviour, such as on-street drinking and nuisance behaviour are the main issues. Times of year such as school holidays and the summer months tend to be busier. The majority of our time is spent out on patrol but we also set aside time to record information and pass on information to other internal departments and external organisations.

Wardens wear a high-visibility uniform. Is your presence itself a deterrent?

Yes, I would say that our presence is a deterrent. The use of high-visibility uniforms means that people can see us from a long way off. This works in two ways, it means that we are a reassurance to those who may have a fear of crime and a deterrent to those who may be engaged in anti-social behaviour.

What powers do you have as a warden and what is outside your remit?

As Belfast City Council wardens we are authorised in relation to different council bylaws for example on-street drinking, dog fouling and fly tipping amongst others. We try to work with people to address these issues and advise them when they are infringing council regulations. We also encounter criminal behaviour from time to time and we work with the PSNI in relation to these incidents passing on information as necessary.

Critics say schemes such as this is policing on the cheap. What's your view?

The wardens scheme is not a policing service. We are officers of Belfast City Council and work to address issues in relation to council bylaws. We work with the police to resolve certain issues but we are not armed and the fact that we are not a police service allows us to build up a different rapport and develop community-based solutions to issues that arise.

Experience in community or youth work would obviously be an advantage. What's your own work background and how does it help you in this job?

I have many years experience working with different community groups on a range of issues. This experience has given me an insight into community and youth work and means that I am aware of the many agencies and groups that offer services in relation to different topics. This is vital because anti-social behaviour and the other issues that we encounter usually require a partnership approach and community support.

There are currently posts available. Where can interested people find out more?

The posts were advertised in local papers on January 17 and 18 and you can visit the web address www.belfastcity.gov.uk/jobs/ for more information.

The closing date for these posts is Monday 4th February at 4pm.