The Role of Street Wardens

The Street Wardens are part of a network of warden schemes within Swale and across the County. The wardens play a unique role within neighbourhood policing.

Street Wardens have many duties which include dealing with:

• Untaxed and abandoned vehicles in public areas;
• Undertaking routine road checks with the police;
• Identifying and facilitating the removal of graffiti;
• Identifying and taking action against persons involved in fly posting;
• Tackling fly tippers;
• Issuing fixed penalty notices against people who drop litter, or allow their dog to foul in public without cleaning it up;
• Enforcing local bye laws;
• Confiscating alcohol and tobacco off under age drinkers and smokers;
• Making sure that waste is left out by householders, and businesses, at the correct time and place for collection

The Street Wardens have proven to be a successful method in the implementation of recently introduced powers under the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005. Street wardens can issue Fixed Penalty Notices for a range of offences.

The idea behind the Fixed Penalty Notice is to deal with low-level anti-social behaviour in a prompt, efficient way. If people are seen throwing litter or allowing their dog to foul these are prosecutable offences. The fine in a magistrates Court for throwing litter is up to £2,500 and £1,000 for fouling. The Fixed Penalty Notice is issued rather than prosecution for the offence and allows the offender to discharge their responsibility under the legislation rather than being taken to court. If the Penalty Notice is not paid, we aim to take every case to court.

Swale Street Wardens have dealt with thousands of cases of anti-social behaviour since the team was formed in September 2004. By balancing recently introduced powers with educating the public, the street wardens are actively contributing to creating a cleaner, greener, safer Swale. By being approachable, and informative the wardens are a vital link between the community and the services within the area.

Environmental offences can be reported to the Swale Customer Service Centre on 01795 417850.