The NI Housing Executive has helped fund a new community safety initiative which has provided Community Safety Wardens operating across the Newry Mourne and Down District.
Launched in December last year, the Community Safety Warden programme, managed by the Newry Mourne and Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP), aims to improve safety by addressing low-level crime and anti-social behaviour.
The Community Safety Wardens work closely with local communities and agencies such as the Housing Executive, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and Newry Mourne and Down District Council to provide a coordinated response to community safety issues and reduce the fear of crime.
Front row: Cllr Brian Quinn Chairperson of PCSP, and Shane Fay, Elite Security, Community Safety Warden Team) .
The uniformed wardens will undertake high visibility patrols on foot and in a liveried vehicle across the district. Patrols will take place throughout the week and at weekends, in the evenings and into the night. The patrols will target previously identified areas where there has been low-level crime, to act as a deterrent and provide a reassuring presence for residents. Elite Security was awarded the tender for the project.
PCSP Chairperson, Councillor Brian Quinn said: “The Community Safety Warden project is a cornerstone of our work in tackling the safety issues associated with antisocial behaviour and the night time economy in our district and to ensure residents and visitors alike feel safe in our towns, streets and parks.”
Housing Executive’s South Down Area Manager, Owen McDonnell added: “We are delighted to be jointly funding this project. The scheme demonstrates the partnership approach to foster vibrant communities and making the local area a safer place. The Community Safety Wardens will provide an essential link between the community and statutory agencies and we look forward to positive outcomes through the scheme.”
The Community Safety Warden programme will operate in the Newry Mourne and Down District until the end of March 2017 initially.
