A Day in the Life of a Torbay Street Warden…….Sue Smith

You’ve seen the distinctive yellow uniform patrolling the streets of our bay come rain or shine, their faces have become familiar and their friendly manner approachable, but what do our beloved Street Wardens really get up to on a daily basis?

We spent ‘a day in the life of’ Sue Smith, Street Warden for Torquay town centre….

The Street Warden scheme was set up in 2002 when two Wardens were recruited and deployed in the Hele area of Torquay. Their success in reducing incidences of Anti-Social Behaviour and increasing public confidence was such that the scheme expanded following a successful bid to the European Union. The team is now eight strong in Torbay with two Wardens dedicated to working specifically in Torquay town centre.

Forming successful relationships with other agencies is vital. The Wardens are seen as a crucial link between the local communities and the agencies that serve them. Communication is at the heart of partnership working, with Street Wardens also participating in Anti Social Behaviour forums where members from organisations such as Torbay Council, the Police, Safer Communities, Fire and Housing agencies are also present. The aim of the forums is to effectively coordinate a multi-agency approach to tackling anti-social behaviour issues in Torbay.

Sue comments; “People tell us things they wouldn’t dream of telling anyone else. We act as the link between the public and organisations such as the police and the council. We can pass on people’s fears and concerns and hopefully we can allay those fears just by being the presence that’s there, that they want”.

One of the more recent campaigns that sue has been involved in is the anti-begging initiative. Launched in Torquay town centre in July this year it has seen such success that it was recently introduced in Paignton also. Led by Torbay Council and Safer Communities, the initiative was a response to members of the community coming forward and highlighting the intimidation they feel when aggressively and persistently approached by individuals in the street demanding money. The initiative, as Sue explains, is not aimed at targeting beggars but rather initiating contact with the support services available to help whatever social problem is driving them to beg.

“Because we tend to be the first ones who come across beggars, we have some leaflets to hand out explaining that begging is a criminal offence and outlining what the process is for anyone that is caught on more than one occasion begging. There is a list of contacts directing them to the support services who can help them address any of the social problems that may be the reason why they’re out there begging. There really is a lot of help available, especially with the recent opening of the hostel”.

“There was a lot of fear around begging and especially aggressive beggin. Now the community knows that it is being highlighted and it is being tackled I think the fear and also the stigma will then go. People know that it isn’t suitable and there are ways around it. There are services out there that can help”.

The newly opened Leonard Socks Centre is a 24 bed Hostel for the homeless in Torbay. There is a drop-in service for rough sleepers to ensure that they are able to have a shower, something to eat and complete any referrals needed to access the necessary support required to leave the street.

Street Wardens play a huge role in overseeing rough sleepers’ welfares, passing on new information to the support services and local policing teams, making them aware of new faces or reporting instances of Anti-social behaviour. When people move on from the service they may also try to help them set up a new tenancy; providing valuable support in sourcing furniture, the undertaking of fire safety checks and have even been known to help people move into their new homes!

Sue’s role is enviable; no one day is the same and every day there is a new face to meet. The excellent and diverse achievements of Torbay’s Street Wardens are reflected every day in the cleanliness of our streets, the reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour in our neighbourhoods and the smiles on our faces from the habitual ‘G’morning’ as we pass them by in our daily lives.

Street Wardens currently cover the following areas; Watcombe, Hele, Torquay Town Centre, Foxhole and Queen Elizabeth Drive.

To contact the Street Wardens Tel: (01803) 208019 or E-mail: street.wardens@torbay.gov.uk