Better Bankside's wardens were recently interviewed on BBC Radio about their new powers to issue fixed penalty notices. Listen to the recording here

Issuing Fixed Penalty Notices for cycling on pavements and enforcing against offences such as begging and illegal sales of alcohol are among the new powers that have been granted to Southwark Council community wardens. Our six Better Bankside wardens are part of Southwark Councils 49 strong team of wardens that have been accredited with the new powers by the Metropolitan Police, under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS).

It’s the second time that Southwark has led the way in the capital – in April 2009 they were the first local authority in Greater London to be given an initial set of powers by the Met, which included confiscation of alcohol from any person under the age of 18 years, and confiscation of alcohol from any person acting in an anti-social manner in a designated public place. Those powers led to a dramatic reduction in street drinking.

All the wardens on the scheme have been fully trained so that they are fully aware of their responsibilities, and that the enforcement of these powers is carried out appropriately and proportionately. The new powers that take effect from January will include fines for cycling on pedestrian areas. They also cover requesting names and addresses of those caught carrying out certain forms of antisocial behaviour, as well as selling alcohol to under 18s and those who are drunk.

The CSAS scheme was introduced as part of the 2002 Police Reform Act to help non-police organisations curb anti-social behaviour and to free up police resources.