Southampton`s team of Neighbourhood Wardens hosted a team from The Isle Of Wight join them for a day as part of a fact finding mission in May.
The Isle Of Wight plan to establish their own Neighbourhood Warden scheme on the Pan estate, and sought to learn from the neighbours across the Solent.
The city council launched the Neighbourhood Warden scheme in 2002, and employs 34 wardens, which cover every ward of Southampton. Their varied role includes general care-taking duties such as helping to remove litter and graffiti, making simple repairs, working to reduce crime and helping local residents to deal with difficult issues such as minor nuisances. They provide an extra resource for local communities without taking over any police functions or duties. A Junior Neighbourhood Warden scheme is also in operation to tackle anti social behaviour amongst eight to 14 year olds through regular constructive activities. This scheme was short-listed for a national award from The Municipal Journal.
The team of eight delegates from the Isle of Wight has requested the chance to spend the day on Tuesday, May 17 shadowing the inner city team of wardens as they conducted `patrols` in the Newtown Nicholstown neighbourhood.
What they say
Cabinet Member for Housing and Homes Councillor Paul Russell says: "Our Neighbourhood Wardens have proved very popular with Southampton residents and it is great that news of their success has travelled to other areas of the country. I hope that the visit will prove useful and that the Isle Of Wight can set up a team that is as successful as the one in Southampton."
