Late-night community wardens set for Royal Borough streets after cabinet approves proposals

A new pilot scheme tackling the problems arising from the night-time economy is set to launch in the Royal Borough.

Cabinet has approved proposals from the community protection and enforcement service for the introduction of two community wardens to the borough’s streets on Friday and Saturday nights to help address residents’ concerns over late-night noise and anti-social behaviour.

The community wardens will now act as ‘first responders’ to incidents occurring between the hours of 7pm and 3am in Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead.

Cllr David Burbage (Con, Bray) told the Royal Borough cabinet meeting on Thursday, February 26, that it was not intended that community wardens would become surrogate policemen.

"I think it’s immensely sensible so the police can get on with policing,” he said.

But Cllr Wisdom Da Costa (Ind, Clewer North) said he was concerned community wardens did not have the proper equipment or training to act as ‘first responders’.

He said: “They have not been trained to deal with potentially violent situations.

“What are they supposed to use, harsh language?”

The Royal Borough cabinet has approved a new revenue budget of £2,500 and a capital budget of £4,000 for 2015/16 to help fund the pilot scheme.

Windsor's night-time economy, and how to police it, has become a regular feature on Royal Borough agendas in recent years.

Councillors have previously agreed to campaign for changes to the Licensing Act 2003 to give local authorities more flexibility in dealing with anti-social behaviour during the night-time.

The meeting took place at Windsor Guildhall.