NEIGHBOURHOOD WARDENS

Derby City Council is in talks with police over plans to introduce new neighbourhood wardens. The wardens would be in addition to those that currently patrol the Normanton and Derwent ward areas of Derby. Derby Homes, which oversees these two existing patrols, also runs two evening community watch patrols on the city's council estates. It is not known how many new neighbourhood wardens there would be but they could, with authorisation from Derbyshire's Chief Constable David Coleman, have the power to issue fixed penalty notices for litter-dropping, dog-fouling, fly-tipping, fly-posting and graffiti.

Like Derby's nine new police-employed community support officers (CSOs), they would have no powers of arrest. CSOs are funded by the Home Office and also have slightly more powers in that they can also seize vehicles driven in a manner likely to cause "alarm and distress", direct traffic and search suspect vehicles. The idea is for the wardens to be a high-profile, uniformed presence to deter low-level crime and anti-social behaviour and also to act as a communication bridge to the police.

Councillor Balbir Samra, city council cabinet member for community services, said, "We're in discussions with the police as to how we bring the whole thing together in Derby. Once we've worked out those details with the police we shall bring it forward, but we don't know when that will be." Chief Superintendent Tony Hurrell, divisional commander of Derbyshire police's D division, which covers Derby and South Derbyshire, said, "It's early days for discussions at the moment. but the basis is for neighbourhood teams that would be a mix of police officers, CSOs and local authority wardens."

He added, "Visual patrols are an essential part of reassuring the community. I don't think it should be seen as a low budget option. It should be seen as just another option." Dave Lakin, supervisor of all the existing warden patrols in the city, said, "The patrols have been positive from day one." He said CCTV footage taken from a patrol vehicle in the Derwent area had recently led to the arrest of a young graffiti artist. And wardens in Normanton had discovered an abandoned baby. "The service has been so good that people have asked for more coverage," added Mr Lakin. (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph)

In June, I reported graffiti on the side of the chip shop in Drayton Avenue, Mackworth Estate. The building is owned by the council, along with the land around the shop. In mid-July, the graffiti was still there, so I telephoned Street Care again. I got the same questions on whether it was obscene or racist. Does it matter? I asked, it's graffiti. In mid-August, the graffiti was still there. This time I was asked if it was racist or were they swear words, and there was an apology as it had not been removed.

I got a telephone call from an inspector who told me that I couldn't have reported it in June because he went to have a look at it in July and did not receive permission to remove it until August 1. From whom do you need permission, I asked? From the city council was the reply. But you are the city council. Yes, but I need permission to gain access to council land. I said that, despite their extra funding, it had still taken two months. I was told that they had been waiting for a new machine which was far better as it did not damage brickwork like the old one.

In mid-September, the graffiti was still there. I made another telephone call and had the same questions about obscenity and racism. It does get monotonous. I was told that I would receive a call and this time I was told that the new machine was broken. On Monday, October 10, I reported further graffiti in Acton Road. Also that week, I attended the Area Panel 5 meeting and raised the question about the length of time it was taking. To date, I have not had a response. The dog-dirt issue is just the same. I know a number of people who have reported cars being driven to the Knightsbridge Recreation Ground, where dog-owners let out their dogs and then put the dogs back in the car and drive off without cleaning up the mess.

An environmental health vehicle emblazoned with logos and dog wardens parked in the same place that the offending dog-owners use. Guess what? Yes, you've got it, the offenders didn't turn up. But the council officers have had a drive out and can say that they did not see any offences being committed. These issues are just the tip of the iceberg and there are many more. If it wasn't so serious, it would be funny. But it's taxpayers' money that's being wasted. Paul Pegg

For months neighbours had endured constant loud music and fighting from a family from hell. They blamed the family for graffiti and for yobs milling about in their road. After social services agreed to pay the deposit for a new property police, council chiefs and a property management team evicted the family. But residents were horrified to find that they had been moved just 100 yards away in the same street. Michelle Poole and her daughters have been served with six penalty notices because of graffiti and anti-social behaviour.

In January the Pooles signed an Acceptable Behaviour Contract, which runs for six months, because of persistent trouble-making. But unmarried Michelle said, "The residents have got it in for me. They set up a petition to have me kicked out. I was given an Acceptable Behaviour Contract because we have parties at the weekend. With a teenager in the house, there's going to be music playing. What do the neighbours expect?"

Officials blame a lack of communication between social services and letting agents who gave the family the new home without knowing the background. Now it is hoped the Pooles will be moved again. Vanessa Robinson, director of Pennine Property Management which handles housing for the council, said, "The letting agent did not obtain references as social services said the eviction reason was non-payment of rent top-up. They never mentioned antisocial behaviour." (Source: Daily Mirror, Mar/07)