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Conservative plans would mean a 48 per cent reduction in on-street presence

Plans by Westminster City Council to axe 66 City Guardians in order to save £2.15 million will hit efforts to cut crime and tackle anti-social behaviour, according to a report to the Council’s Community Safety Scrutiny Committee on 14th April.

The report to the Scrutiny Committee from Dean Ingledew, Operational Director Street Management, says that there will be “a 48 per cent reduction in on street presence” and;

“Activities currently performed by the City Guardians which may be lost in the new structure include their contribution to some elements of crime and disorder reduction (pick-pocketing and shoplifting, youth anti-social behaviour for example), community work (child protection, work with the elderly population, lost persons and property, work with schools), and high visibility patrolling (reassurance and acting as the ‘eyes and ears’)”

Mr Ingledew’s report says that “City Guardians spend approximately 35% of their time dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour, 25% dealing with environmental issues and 40% in other reassurance or community work.”

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group, said;

“This Scrutiny Committee report makes it absolutely clear that efforts to cut crime and tackle anti-social behaviour will be hit hard if the Conservative plans to axe 66 City Guardians are allowed to go through. Cutting crime and tackling anti-social behaviour is one of residents’ top priorities and the Council should be cutting the £3 million a year ’spin’ and publicity budget rather than giving the sack to 66 City Guardians.”