Street Wardens Plan in Leicestershire: A Contentious Debate

Police and Crime Commissioner, Rupert Matthews, plans to hire private security patrols, or street wardens, to combat crime in Leicestershire and Rutland. This eighteen-month program, starting late 2023 or early 2024, aims to deploy twenty to thirty wardens across towns like Coalville, Hinckley, and Market Harborough. Matthews argues these wardens wont replace police officers but serve as a visible deterrent. However, critics, including a former police officer and county councillor, Ozzy OShea, oppose the plan, claiming funds could be better spent on overtime for trained police officers. The Leicestershire Police Federation also voiced its opposition, viewing the proposal as a privatization of policing. Despite pushback, Matthews cites successful street warden programs in other parts of Leicestershire as evidence of effectiveness. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/9c0e7135ec59e20e