Police Patrol Plan Proposed as Alternative to Private Wardens

Leicestershire’s temporary Chief Constable is drawing up plans to use £2 million for regular town centre police patrols instead of private street wardens.

The proposed warden scheme for Market Harborough and other towns has proved controversial since it was unveiled earlier this year by Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews.

The initiative would see wardens deployed in town centres on an 18-month trial to help tackle shoplifting, anti-social behaviour and other low-level crime.

However, critics have questioned the plans, saying the funding should instead be used to recruit more frontline police officers and Police Community Support Officers.

Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews (main image) and an inset of Temporary Chief Constable David Sandall

Mr Matthews has previously argued that similar schemes elsewhere have helped deter crime, improve public confidence and free up police officers by preventing incidents from escalating.

Under the proposals, to be funded through his Crime Prevention Budget, wardens would patrol in pairs, be linked to local CCTV, wear body cameras and receive training in de-escalation, safeguarding and mental health awareness.

Mr Matthews told HFM no final decision will be made until he has considered the alternative proposal from the temporary Chief Constable:

The proposed warden scheme for Market Harborough and other towns has proved controversial since it was unveiled earlier this year

Temporary Chief Constable David Sandall said: “Prevention of crime in our communities remains a priority in Leicestershire Police” and that “it is important any crime prevention initiative is based on informed and reliable research, is evidence-based and data-led.”

He added that the force is working with the Police and Crime Commissioner “to assess how this £2m funding can be best invested in delivering an efficient and effective police service and help overcome the significant anticipated budget deficits in future years.”

The Leicestershire Police Federation has opposed the street warden proposals, describing them as the privatisation of policing, while a motion opposing the use of the funding for the scheme is due to be considered by Leicestershire County Council at a meeting today.