Safer on the streets

The Council’s Environmental Warden service has branched out into night-time working.

As the problem of littering and other environmental issues is not only a daytime issue, it was decided that night-time patrols would be rolled out.

The wardens believe the public are welcoming the new service. Tom Veitch, senior Environmental Warden, said: “This has been something we’ve been wanting to do for a while.

“Obviously, enforcement is an issue no matter what time of the day it is. We’re now on the streets all the time, which means we can talk to residents and visitors to make sure they don’t litter.”

Wardens’ duties include ensuring the safe operation of tables and chairs permits as well as tackling illegal presentation of waste, littering, dog fouling, fly tipping and graffiti.

Besides complementing the existing night-time noise teams and licensing standards officers, the wardens work closely with the police, undertaking joint patrols to provide public reassurance.

The extra wardens on the streets are making use of CCTV-equipped vehicles which will benefit the city-wide CCTV network and tie in with security issues throughout the city.