Community wardens in Southwark first in London to get new powers

The 49 strong team of wardens has been accredited with the new powers by the Metropolitan Police, under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS). 

It's the second time that Southwark has led the way in the capital - in April 2009 they were the first local authority in Greater London to be given an initial set of powers by the Met, which included confiscation of alcohol from any person under the age of 18 years, and confiscation of alcohol from any person acting in an anti-social manner in a designated public place. Those powers led to a dramatic reduction in street drinking.  

All the wardens on the scheme have been fully trained so that they are fully aware of their responsibilities, and that the enforcement of these powers is carried out appropriately and proportionately.  

The wardens will also spend the next few weeks educating the public about the range of powers, with a view to enforcing them fully in the New Year.  

The new powers will include fines for cycling on pedestrian areas. They also cover requesting names and addresses of those caught carrying out certain forms of antisocial behaviour, as well as selling alcohol to under 18s and those who are drunk.  

Cllr Richard Livingstone, cabinet member for finance, resources and community safety at Southwark Council, said:  

"These new powers show yet again how we are leading the way in community reassurance. We've been working closely with the police on this scheme, and are determined to make sure we deal with these issues not just as effectively as possible, but as responsibly as possible too. Over the next few weeks our trained wardens will be out on the streets, making sure that the public are fully aware of these new powers, before implementing them in full in the New Year."  

Detective Superintendant Ian Smith, acting borough commander of police in Southwark said:

"An effective partnership between police in Southwark and the council is the only way to make sure we tackle anti social behaviour issues that matter most to local communities. With these further powers given to wardens we will be able to build on the success of the scheme started in 2009."

Background Information

What offences will the new powers deal with? 

• Cycling on a footpath
• Begging
• Graffiti
• Fly posting
• Selling alcohol to under 18s
• Selling alcohol to someone who is drunk
• Dog fouling
• Littering
• Stop and direct traffic

These offences will be enforced by wardens from 4 January 2012. 

On that date, of the 49 wardens, 41 will be accredited to start enforcing these new powers on that date, and eight others will be accredited later in the year. 

Community wardens currently have the power to demand: 

• Name and address of people who have committed antisocial behaviour
• The surrender of alcohol from persons acting in an antisocial manner in a designated place
• The surrender of alcohol from under 18s
• The surrender of tobacco products from under 16s