Mini cameras boost wardens scheme

A warden at work on a Cornish housing estate

Community wardens in Cornwall have been issued with pocket cameras to help combat vandalism, litter and minor street crime.

The cameras will be used to record incidents of damage and littering to provide evidence in court.

The police-trained wardens are part of a pilot scheme being tested in three housing estates in St Blazey.

They are employed to provide a friendly face on local streets and to help stamp out neighbourhood nuisances such as graffiti and abandoned cars.

A community warden uses the new pocket camera

Warden Andrew Vivian said: "You have to be multi-skilled in this job.

"You're dealing with children and sometimes we're here late at night until nine o'clock dealing with the kids and their issues.

"We are also dealing with the local tenants and their concerns over noise nuisance and abandoned cars."

Co-worker Ken Smith said: "I've got a camera, so anything I see I can actually log."

Chris Blackbeard, of Restormel Housing Trust, said a recent survey of residents had shown that litter was an important issue for them.

"They'd like the areas they live in to be as clean and tidy as possible," he said.

"The wardens will be looking after that which, in turn, improves the area and makes people more proud of where they live."

If they're carrying cameras, the evidence is going to be on film straight away

Helen Winnett Resident

The scheme has received a favourable response from residents, who say the wardens have already given their estates a boost and helped lift morale.

Resident Sam Mitchell said: "It gives the old people extra protection at night, just knowing that someone is walking the streets until nine o'clock.

"They also keep an eye on the children, which gives parents the added comfort that there's somebody watching over the children."

It was feared some people might feel intimidated by the cameras, but that has not been the case.

Resident Helen Winnett said: "At least if they're carrying cameras, the evidence is going to be on film straight away."