Neighbourhood Wardens provide a uniformed patrolling presence in the community to reduce crime and the fear of crime, address environmental issues, engage in positive ways with young people, provide reassurance to the elderly and vulnerable, and promote community cohesion.

West Berkshire currently benefits from the presence of three such schemes, Newbury, West Berkshire and Thatcham Neighbourhood Wardens.

The Neighbourhood Wardens’ main aim is to provide a highly visible presence, acting as a focal point for the community. Wardens will deal with all those issues which affect your quality of life, such as: 
 

• Helping to reduce crime and the fear of crime
• Dealing with anti-social behaviour
• Reporting suspicious behaviour
• Discouraging drug dealing
• Dealing with neighbourhood disputes
• Dealing with environmental problems such as:      
  -    abandoned vehicles; 
  -    fly-tipping (dumping rubbish illegally); 
  -    graffiti; and 
  -    vandalism 
   
• Reporting maintenance problems such as:       
  -    street lamps which aren’t working; 
  -    loose paving slabs; and 
  -    damaged drain covers 
   
• Reporting neighbourhood nuisance problems such as: 
  -    noise; and 
  -    dog-fouling 
   
• Caring for the community and developing a strong sense of community spirit
• Maintaining contact with vulnerable residents
• Acting as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the community
   

Warden schemes really do work, but they can’t achieve results alone. The team will be working very closely with many partner organisations to make your community a better place to live.

Sovereign South+West has strong links with West Berkshire Council; your local town or parish Council; Thames Valley Police; other local Housing Associations; and many other local and national organisations, but the most important partnership they have is with you, the public. So please make the most of the service, for a better community.