Street wardens' success

Tracing a stolen horsebox, helping to apprehend a drink driver and ensuring the successful prosecution of an abusive youth have added to a busy period for street wardens in East Durham.

Wardens from District of Easington Council have enjoyed a number of successes during the past few weeks in their work to combat anti-social behaviour.

Ian Hoult, Environmental Services Manager, said: “Our 18-strong team of street wardens carry out vital work in the district, helping to tackle bad behaviour and assisting the police.

“They do an excellent job all year round but in recent weeks they have had some extremely good results, proving our continued commitment to combating neighbourhood nuisances and cracking down on crime.”

During the past few months, the wardens have assisted with the arrest of two drink drivers, apprehending a youth riding an off-road bike in Seaside Lane, Easington Colliery, and alerting police to a vehicle driving in an erratic manner in Thornley.

Another youth who already had a police warning was spotted driving a motorbike on a path near Warwick Place, Peterlee. Wardens stopped him and his bike was seized by the police.

Evidence gathered on headcams worn by street wardens, meanwhile, lead to a £100 fine and £25 court costs for a youth who was abusive to wardens in Front Street, Wheatley Hill, and a £50 fine and £60 court costs for an 18-year-old man who exposed himself in the street in Seaham.

Eagle-eyed street wardens spotted a stolen horsebox being towed along a back road in Easington Lane. Although another vehicle attempted to block the path of the wardens’ van they continued to follow it and were able to notify police of its location. Two people were later arrested.

Following a report of a suicidal female, the wardens attended the area near Peterlee bus station where they found the woman and kept her calm until her family and an ambulance arrived.

Inspector Vince Addision, of Seaham Police, said: “These recent successes demonstrate that partnership working between street wardens and the police is proving to be an area of real strength in the district.

“Wardens are the eyes and ears of the local community and their input can have real impact not only on everyday neighbourhood problems but also on issues outside the wardens’ normal remit.”