Council ends warden program citing budget gap. Police aim to increase patrols to combat crime. Residents voice concerns.
Council axes wardens, citing savings, as police increase patrols. Critics fear impact on crime and safety.
Caerphilly Council Cuts Safety Warden Service Amid Budget Concerns
Gwent Police will send more officers to patrol. This follows the council cutting warden services, ending their “invaluable” warden program.
Nigel Dix is an independent councillor from Blackwood and called the decision “disappointing and dangerous.” The council approved this cut last week during the budget. Seven full-time warden positions will be removed.
The council says wardens reduced crime and lessened antisocial behavior. Wardens were meant to make folks feel safer and also helped to make life more pleasant. Wardens worked with police and other services, ensuring a coordinated response to issues.
This cut will save the council about £350,000, as they need to fix a £45 million budget gap spanning the next three years. Dix said wardens were a “huge asset,” and council tax rises, but services shrink.
The Caerphilly Observer asked the police about the cuts. Chief Inspector Stevie Warden responded, saying officers will tackle crime and antisocial behavior and want to build trust in local policing.
Community safety partnerships are vital and help police with rising crime trends. Police review resources using public information, putting officers where people need them most. Operation Lumley will help allocate officers, who will patrol areas with antisocial behavior, and this effort will keep going next year too.
The Caerphilly Observer contacted the council, asking if cuts increased antisocial behaviour and if police would face more strain.
Gwent Police will send more officers to patrol. This follows the council cutting warden services. The council ended their “invaluable” warden program.
Nigel Dix is an independent councillor from Blackwood. He called the decision “disappointing and dangerous.” The council approved this cut last week during the budget.
Seven full-time warden positions will be removed.
What did these wardens do? The council says they reduced crime and also lessened antisocial behavior. Wardens were meant to make folks feel safer and helped to make life more pleasant. Wardens worked with police and other services, ensuring a coordinated response to issues.
This cut will save the council about £350,000. They need to fix a £45 million budget gap that spans the next three years. Dix said wardens were a “huge asset” and council tax rises, but services shrink.
The Caerphilly Observer asked the police about the cuts. Chief Inspector Stevie Warden responded. Officers will tackle crime and antisocial behavior, wanting to build trust in local policing.
Community safety partnerships are vital and help police with rising crime trends. Police review resources using public information, putting officers where people need them most. Operation Lumley will help allocate officers to patrol areas with antisocial behavior, and this effort will keep going next year too.
The Caerphilly Observer contacted the council. They asked if cuts increased antisocial behaviour and if police would face more strain.