A leading safety campaigner has heralded the return of community wardens to a north-east port as “a vital service” for the town.
Fraserburgh councillor Brian Topping, chairman of the local district community safety group, has revealed that interviews for the two posts are due to take place this month.
It is understood community wardens will be patrolling the streets of the north-east port by April – more than two years after the posts were scrapped because of funding cuts.
The community wardens provide an important link between the local community and police force. In nearby Peterhead, wardens have regularly tackled shoplifters and were involved in a campaign to crack down on the sale of legal highs in the town.
Last night, Mr Topping stated: “There has been money in the budget for some time, but because the council was looking at their job descriptions – whether they would cover car parks – they have slightly changed.”
Mr Topping said the news emerged at last week’s meeting of the Aberdeenshire Community Safety Executive with representatives from the local police, fire service and NHS.
He added: “I’d been asking for an update on the wardens, and there will be proper launch, but the interviews will be taking place shortly and the two new wardens will be in place by April.
“Both as a local councillor and, on behalf of the Fraserburgh and District Community Safety Group, who have supported the introduction of them, I’m delighted. I’ve been asking the question when on earth are they starting. They will be a great asset.”
It is expected that the new wardens – who will be overseen by Aberdeenshire Council – will look to tackle anti-social behaviour in Fraserburgh town centre.
Mr Topping has also called for a renewed crackdown on public drinking at Fraserburgh beach.
He added: “I think people will see that, although we’ve had a 2.5% increase in our council tax, this was to protect vital services. The community wardens are one of those services.”
