Wokingham

The new year has seen a new look for Wokingham District Council’s community wardens who everyday take to the streets in the bid to make the district a safer and cleaner place to live and work.

Residents of the Wokingham district will now easily be able to identify the wardens patrolling the streets as they have new distinctive yellow and blue uniforms.

There are currently six Wokingham community wardens - Emma Leroy, Mark Methven, Chad Chadburn, Rebecca Eggleton, Roderick Mertens and Lesley McCambridge. The community wardens work in pairs and cover the whole of the Wokingham district. Each pair of wardens is responsible for four neighbourhoods, which are in line with Thames Valley Police’s neighbourhood policing policy. Under this new scheme, the wardens will work in close partnership with the police to deliver a more efficient service to address local issues within each area. A seventh community warden will be appointed very shortly.

Emma and Lesley will be working in Winnersh, Sonning, Charvil, Hurst and Emmbrook, Woosehill, Norreys and Wescott wards, Wokingham; whilst Rebecca and Mark will be responsible for Woodley, Shinfield, Swallowfield, Arborfield and Wokingham town centre.

Roderick and Chad will be working in Earley, Wargrave, Remenham, Twyford and Ruscombe. Local residents in Finchampstead, Barkham and north Crowthorne will also benefit from Roderick and Chad’s presence on the streets.

The wardens work in communities across the Wokingham district to reduce crime and the fear of crime, deter anti-social behaviour and care for the environment. Patrolling the streets of the district is a major part of their work and they act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of local communities.

The wardens are a familiar, friendly face to residents who want advice and information on local issues. Their role is varied and, depending on the areas in which they work, issues can include anything from reporting graffiti, visiting vulnerable residents, helping victims of anti-social behaviour and supporting neighbourhood watch groups.

Wokingham Cllr Barrie Patman, executive member for community safety, said: “With six community wardens there is an increased presence in the Wokingham district and a commitment from the district council that anti-social behaviour is not accepted. The wardens will spend time building relationships with local residents in the bid to deter anti-social behaviour. And, environmental issues such as graffiti, litter, fly-tipping and vandalism will also be tackled and the wardens can report such incidences to the relevant department here at the council.

“The wardens provide a link between residents and key agencies such as the council and the police. They spend much of their time visiting members of the community who have reported a problem and ensure they are reassured if they are feeling vulnerable. I hope that local residents will take this opportunity to find out who their warden is and if they have any concerns they should contact them - they are there to help to make the district a safer and more pleasant place to live!”

The Wokingham community wardens can be contacted by phone on (0118) 974 3798 or via email: communitywardens@wokingham.gov.uk. The wardens are happy to speak to anyone who may have concerns and any information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

Wokingham District Council