Who's watching The Wardens?

However, enough of that fascinating history lesson for the time being. Exactly what does a Warden mean to us all in today's environment, and what role do they perform in the private security industry as we know it?

A 'flagship' Warden project (certainly as far as Local Authority schemes are concerned) is widely seen to be Westminster City Council's 'Guardian' scheme in the Capital. To date, other Councils have been watching the project with keen interest before taking their own ideas forward. And so far, so good. Since the scheme was launched amid much public fanfare last summer, crime in the Borough is reported to have fallen by more than 60%.

What might be confusing to some casual observers among Security Management Today's readership is that this isn't the first time Westminster has tried such a scheme. That being the case, what are the major reasons why this one's working now? Revitalising the West End First, let's look at the brief. In its most fundamental form, the objective of the 'Guardian' project is to "revitalise the West End". Westminster isn't only the tourism shop window of the UK, it also doubles as the cinema and entertainment capital of the country. Literally thousands of visitors each year converge upon London's West End by day and night, with hundreds of restaurants, pubs, bars, cinemas and theatres satisfying their leisure needs with aplomb.

In announcing plans to introduce more policemen and women across London early last year, the Metropolitan Police Authority subsequently found it difficult to increase the officer count in Westminster. Subsequently, as part of a much wider and more inclusive security review, the Westminster 'Guardian' project was duly born – and First Security appointed after a lengthy tendering process.

More specifically, the basic brief was for a team of ten Wardens working in shifts of two or four on a 24 hours per day, seven days per week basis. The task was to patrol Leicester Square and the streets in the immediate vicinity.

The Wardens have been described in various ways, perhaps one of the most accurate being "an extra set of eyes and ears for both Westminster City Council and the police." What they're most certainly not is glorified stooges. Nor are they cheap police officers. This would be both to demean the role of the Wardens and the police, and their results.

Their success is perhaps as much to do with their complementary role alongside the other law enforcement agencies, fulfilling a function that many believe the police themselves couldn't do for wont of either resources or the general public's attitude towards them.

A physical presence
The main strength of a Warden force lies in a physical presence on the streets. Their role is more pro-active than reactive, albeit that they have to be trained to respond to various crises. Yes, their role is one of security, but it amounts to much more besides. Their duties range from notifying the Council of damage to property through to moving on vagrants and removing obstructions to the highway.

As much as their training is essential, there’s another critical ingredient to the success of the Westminster ‘Guardian’ scheme – the individual personalities of the Wardens themselves, and the management support they receive

In addition, the Wardens also help with the day-to-day running of Leicester Square, ensuring that the park is open and closed on time, that litter bins are located in the right place and unlicensed traders prevented from plying their wares.

Before they're allowed to become part of the force, the Wardens undergo at least ten days' basic training, and are then constantly monitored and supported. Regular anonymous 'tests' are held as to the Wardens' suitability for the role, with 'actors' playing out various scenarios without the Wardens' knowledge to see how they react. The Warden team members are well paid, enjoy excellent working conditions and are efficiently managed.

One of the most important elements of their training is conflict management (interesting in itself as the element which the Security Industry Authority is looking to enforce as an obligatory element of the future training of any security officer). Wardens can cope with virtually any incident, the majority of which are diffused without the need for calling in any extra back-up. If trouble can't be avoided then help from the police is only a small step away.

Creating a unique role
Unlike their contemporaries in traditional guarding roles, the Wardens' interaction with members of the public is constant. To this end they aren't 'micro-managed', but given much broader responsibility to deal with situations as they deem appropriate (but clearly within the confines of the law). This means that they're able to instil greater confidence among the local community, shop keepers, café owners and businesses, etc.

The Wardens' role is to fully understand local issues, local pressures and local personalities. Their remit is also to be customer-focused, providing a 'public face' to the West End tourist (even to the extent of being able to speak a second or third language). It's a job that demands a very special kind of person.

This is not to paint them into a corner as being glorified social workers or tourist guides, though. Their very real role in fighting crime is evidenced by the figures. Every morning, the Wardens are briefed by the local police and Council officers, and this information is passed on via the supervisors. They're made aware of the latest crime figures and trends. They're also told if a particular area of crime is being targeted that day – from drug pushers through to illegal hot dog sellers – so that they can act as intelligence gatherers on the ground.

Are Wardens real enforcers?
In some ways, a Warden is a hybrid of many different functions. As such, to define a Warden becomes even more complicated than trying to understand the lesson in mediaeval French given at the outset of this article.