A new warden scheme designed to crack down on anti-social behaviour has been declared a success, just three months after its launch.
The first Neighbourhood Wardens began patrols in Grahame Park in September and have since been rolled out across North Finchley, Hendon, Cricklewood and Golders Green, as well as Edgware and Burnt Oak.
Police said the wardens were "instrumental" in their work reassuring Grahame Park residents following the murder of James Peregrino, 17, in October.
Grahame Park Residents' Association spokesman Eyo Nkume said the wardens had been very visible on the estate's streets.
"The loitering has stopped now," he said. "Wardens have been going around the neighbourhood schools and making themselves very visible."
In Golders Green, wardens foiled a mugging, while their presence in Brent Street, Hendon, put off thieves as they attempted to steal a schoolchild's mobile phone.
They have also been helping police with incidents in Burnt Oak and North Finchley, recovering a stolen bicycle and interrupting car thieves.
Cabinet member for environment, Councillor Geof Cooke, said: "These latest incidents show that our Neighbourhood Wardens are already playing a key role in the fight to stamp out anti-social behaviour."
The New Year will see another five wardens start, adding to the current roll call of 14, with a further ten to start by March 2002.
December 28, 2001 10:32
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