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Community Wardens in Scotland: Practitioners' Views

NCJ Number
224304
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 47 Issue: 4 Dated: September 2008 Pages: 371-382
Author(s)
Daniel Donnelly
Date Published
September 2008
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This research sought to examine the views of community wardens in Scotland and compare the implementation of community warden with that of community policing.
Abstract
The study illustrates how community wardens in Scotland have been flexible enough to reflect the needs of local communities. The absence of interference and tight control by the Scottish Government has led to a variety of community warden models. However, a nationally coordinated, strategic, and standardized approach to community wardens is viewed as appropriate now. Community wardens are a response to the constant need for more visible patrolling, where in the past the police were rarely in a position to address these community problems. Their specific task is to tackle these community issues. Community wardens are not police officers, but the two groups do have common aims that necessitate a close working partnership. Evidence to date suggests that warden schemes have helped to reduce crime, fear of crime, antisocial behavior, and improve the overall quality of the environment. This present account referred to a number of comprehensive studies in Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom which have substantiated an improved quality of life for communities as a result of interventions by wardens. Community wardens in Scotland have had a positive impact on antisocial behavior and environmental problems since their introduction in 2003. Tables and references