Mid and East Antrim PCSP reaffirms commitment to Community Safety Wardens Scheme
- Love Ballymena
- 19 minutes ago
- 2 min read
(L-R) Audrey Wales, Chairperson BRAC, Sharon Maxwell, PCSP Vice Chair, Carolyn Crawford Area Manager NIHE, Roy McClean Assistant Area Manager NIHE, Cllr Lauren Gray, PCSP Chairperson and Roy Smyth, Chairperson Ballymena BID.
Mid and East Antrim Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) has underlined its ongoing commitment to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour through the continuation of its Community Safety Wardens Scheme.
The initiative, which has been running since 2016, plays a central role in addressing local concerns such as anti-social behaviour, littering, dog fouling and wider community safety issues.
Wardens provide a visible presence across the Borough, helping to reassure residents, protect local businesses, and support the work of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
Chair of Mid and East Antrim PCSP, Councillor Lauren Gray, praised the scheme’s effectiveness, saying:
“The Community Safety Warden Scheme is a significant and important programme for the partnership. It has successfully challenged anti-social behaviour across the Borough and has offered reassurance to a number of residents.
“Residents have become accustomed to Community Safety Wardens in their neighbourhoods and have welcomed the support and reassurance they provide.
“Mid and East Antrim PCSP would like to take this opportunity to thank our partner organisations - NIHE and Ballymena BID - who also place importance on this initiative by part-funding this scheme.”
The Community Safety Wardens work closely with the PSNI and the Housing Executive, particularly in areas where anti-social behaviour is more prevalent, such as parks and shared spaces. By handling community-level matters, they allow police officers to dedicate more time to other serious offences.
Roy McClean, Assistant Area Housing Manager for Mid & East Antrim at the Housing Executive, highlighted the scheme’s preventative role:
“These wardens provide a targeted response to anti-social behaviour through preventative and responsive street work and ongoing visible street presence. They complement the work of staff at our local offices out of hours and have a positive impact in our communities.”
The importance of the scheme to the business community was also emphasised by Ballymena BID Chair, Roy Smyth, who said:
“The Community Safety Wardens project is a vital part of our local community. As well as helping to reduce anti-social behaviour and protect local businesses, the Wardens provide a welcoming and friendly presence for visitors to the Borough.
“Their work not only reassures the residents and business communities but also supports the wider communities and town centres, helping to create a safer, more enjoyable environment for everyone.”
The scheme is managed by Ballymena Retailers Against Crime (BRAC) and jointly funded by Mid and East Antrim PCSP, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), and Ballymena BID. Earlier this year, DGS Service Solutions Ltd was appointed as the supplier for the programme, which remains a key element of the PCSP Action Plan.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to engage with the Wardens and can request patrols in their area. To report a crime, residents should contact the PSNI on 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.
For more information or to contact the PCSP team:
📞 0300 124 5000