A Day in the Life of A Community Warden

Sunday might seem like a quiet day. A day of rest. Time to put your feet up. Not for Community Warden Drew Allardice working the 10.30 to 18.30 shift in Chichester East and the Whyke Estate.

'After a bit of paper work,' – Drew is keen to point out that what they see is recorded - 'we headed off on our mountain bikes to look into reports of repeated threatening behaviour by a drunken male. Not surprisingly, local residents were frightened and we had a long chat with three families who had been targeted by the drunken male.'

'We gave them Incident Diaries, for logging dates and times of any future problems, explaining that precise details are vital in gathering evidence about such anti-social behaviour. Hopefully they're feeling that someone is listening to their problems, and is there to support them.'

A cycle patrol of the Bradshaw Road area was the next job. Two days previously they'd supplied information to the Police that led to the arrest of two prolific offenders here. 'Most of the residents were relieved that these gentlemen had been caught," Drew reported. "We received sincere thanks from many residents. Patrolling here shows the local young people that we won't tolerate anti-social behaviour. Some of the youths were rather anti but most understood why we had no choice but to call the Police. They know that whilst we would prefer to be nice guys, we will, if necessary, be very strict.'

Attacks on cemeteries are incredibly distressing and not more so than the recent vandalism of over 30 gravestones at Chichester. So Drewdecided to spend half an hour patrolling the cemetery most days. But especailly Sunday the busiest day for mourners. Drew: 'The response was fantastic. One woman, who had nine relatives, including her late husband buried there heard a radio report about the vandalism just before she left home.'

'Not surprisingly she was terrified that her relatives' graves had been smashed and worried that the vandals might still be around. We spent nearly an hour with her, helping with the dead flowers, weeding the graves, and generally reassuring her and keeping her company. To say that she was chuffed is an understatement.' The next five hours? Visiting an 83 year old lady spending 20 minutes nattering. Talking to a group of kids in Herald Drive, wanting to become Junior Wardens. Removing some disgusting graffiti from cubicles in public toilets. Meeting some young people in St James Square, where we have really tried to find an alternative place for them to play football.

Is it always that varied? 'Yes. As well as being invited into the Swanfield Community Centre, where a church service had just been held, to be thanked sincerely for the work we'd done over the past 6 months, there were other little successes. We were given the name of a major suspect in the Cemetery vandalism case and ejected a male behaving, as they say, in a lewd manner from the gents' toilets in Florence Road. He'll be hearing from Sussex Police shortly.'

Community Wardens have been described as the eyes and ears of the community. It's easy to see why. But it's more than that. As this Sunday shows, it's a bit about being the conscience of the community as well. GO BACK >>