Lewisham Warden Service provides a visible, uniformed, semi-official presence in residential, public areas and town centres.
The purpose of the service is to improve quality of life and contribute to the regeneration of the scheme areas.
Wardens have a number of functions, often dependent on local need. They can help to:
- promote community safety and assist in environmental improvements such as anti-litter campaigns and graffiti clean-ups
- contribute to community development and provide a link between local residents, key agencies and the police
- foster social inclusion by working on a range of projects, from managing football teams to checking on elderly residents.
Aims of the warden service
The aims of the warden service are to:
- reduce the fear of crime, especially street crime in the areas covered by Street Warden schemes
- reduce actual crime and promote the reporting of crime to the police and relevant agencies
- to co-ordinate victim support and social services where appropriate
- reduce incidence of anti-social behaviour and liaise with other council services to enforce our anti-social behaviour strategy
- foster social inclusion within communities through a programme of events and initiatives designed to bring residents together
- promote awareness, care and maintenance of the environment, and liaising with other council services to ensure that environmental issues are resolved
- assist in regenerating deprived and low-income areas with the assistance of strategic partnerships in housing, registered social landlords and local residents
- improve the quality of life in and around scheme areas.
History of the warden service
The Lewisham Warden Service started in 2001 on the Honor Oak estate, working in conjunction with the local housing office to tackle a range of issues of concern to local residents.
Once established, the service was expanded to include a scheme in Catford town centre.
The service has developed further and now operates in six schemes across the borough:
- Honor Oak
- Catford
- Lewisham
- Bellingham and Downham
- New Cross
- Deptford.
Warden service successes
The Lewisham Warden Service is continuing to build upon the foundations of its early successes.
Due to the popular support that the schemes have and the demands for more wardens, the service has expanded, resulting in the six schemes that currently operate.
We have been recognised for our outstanding service in the community. We were the 'Team of the Year 2003' at the National Warden Achievement Awards and joint winner of the 'Diversity and Cohesion Award 2002'.
We have won several Lewisham Pride Awards: Equality and Diversity in 2004, and Young Employee of the Year and Employee of the Year in 2005.
Also, in 2002 the service won the Lewisham Pride 'Team of the Year' award for its outstanding contribution and commitment to providing a reliable service to Lewisham residents.
We were instrumental in the development and implementation of the controlled drinking zone in Catford town centre. The wardens jointly patrol the area with the police to enforce the ban, as well as offering support and advice on substance abuse.