In Northern Ireland, a contract to provide community safety wardens to Down District Council has gone to Mercury Security Management. Mercury, which has staffed similar schemes in Northern Ireland, will provide security wardens to patrol the streets of Newcastle, Downpatrick and Newry. The wardens will provide a ‘reassuring presence’ for residents, shoppers and visitors to the areas and deal with any potential issues or anti-social behaviour.
Other services provided by the wardens will include cautions in cases of litter offences, liaising with retailers and reporting back on issues raised, and giving tourist information to visitors.
Councillor Willie Clarke, Chairperson of the Policing & Community Partnership, said: “The introduction of the warden scheme is an excellent service for the all the young and old of the Down District. Our local people will no doubt feel safer in knowing that we have the trained security wardens from Mercury Security bringing additional manpower to our streets, villages and towns.
“The wardens will be there to assist all the community and help them in many issues no matter how big or small that that could face them on a daily basis. Our wardens will work alongside the council’s existing services that include Council Enforcement Officers, the PSNI and many other government agencies who are here to help all in the Down area.”
Liam Cullen, Regional Ireland and UK Operations Director, Mercury Security Management Ltd, said: “Our community wardens will work will all the local residents young and old to improve their safety and living standards. We will also work with council agencies and stakeholders who wish the Down area to become a safer environment for our young and old folk. We would encourage everyone to please feel free to stop with our wardens and have a friendly chat. Our wardens will be issuing contact cards to residents with a dedicated phone number and if you need their help please do call. Our uniformed community safety Wardens will offer and promote community reassurance and we hope this will lead to a reduction in crime and, most importantly, the community’s perception of crime.”
Mercury adds that it has operated similar community warden schemes in Ballymena, Broughshane, Crumlin and Antrim. Pictured at the launch are, from left: Mercury Security Regional Operations Director for Ireland and UK, Liam Cullen, community warden Michael Collins, Safer Communities Partnership Manager Janine Hillen, Councillor Willie Clarke, Chairperson of the Policing & Community Partnership, and community warden Pete McClaren.
About Mercury Security Management Ltd
Founded in 2001, the firm has offices in Lisburn, London and the Republic of Ireland and offers services including CCTV remote monitoring, manned guarding and concierge services, key-holding and alarm response, satellite-tracked mobile patrols, staff and vehicle escort services, lone worker monitoring, vehicle and asset tracking, and training. Visit www.mercurysecurity.biz.
