More Wardens needed NOW! - Lib. Dems.

4.08.32pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 31st Jul 2006

The recent announcement that Community Wardens are to be deployed in Thatcham has been warmly welcomed by the Liberal Democrats on West Berkshire Council.

"We desperately need Wardens to assist the Police in combatting the growing tide of anti-social behaviour" said Councillor Keith Woodhams (Thatcham West). "The sad thing is that they would already been out on the streets if the Conservatives had adopted our budget proposals in May".

West Berkshire Lib Dems have also raised concerns that Conservatives appear to be cutting back on the number of places where Wardens are to be introduced.

A report to last week's meeting of the Council's Executive announced that a district-wide strategy for Wardens and Community Support Officers is to be developed. However, the report indicated that only Thatcham, Greenham, Wash Common, Tilehurst and Calcot merited a Warden scheme. A similar report produced two years ago for the Liberal Democrats concluded "From the statistical evidence and based on discussions with partner agencies, it appears that the areas that would benefit from a Warden scheme are Newbury, Thatcham, Tilehurst/Calcot, Theale, Burghfield, Lambourn, Hungerford and Pangbourne".

Councillor Royce Longton, who represents Burghfield ward where wardens will no longer be on the cards, commented:

"If levels of anti-social behaviour warranted bringing wardens to Burghfield in 2004 the need is even greater now. Almost every week brings reports of number plates broken off cars, fences beaten down and Parish Council property vandalised. Only last week rubberised tarmac, installed in a children's play area as a safety measure, was systematically ripped up. This will cost up to £2000 to repair".

Councillor Longton has urged the Conservatives to consider the quality of life of residents throughout Newbury and in communities which will now miss out such as Burghfield, Hungerford, Lambourn and Pangbourne. He has asked them to act responsibly and ensure wardens or Community Support Officers are deployed wherever needed in West Berkshire.