Safety wardens to patrol Holyland

An initiative to mark the launch of a “new and positive chapter” in the development of Belfast’s Holyland area has been unveiled today.

A team of community safety wardens have been appointed to work in the area, in a bid to stamp out the anti-social behaviour, which has caused major disruption to the residents in recent times.

Launching the scheme this morning, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Wallace Browne said that it would have a real and tangible impact upon the issues confronting this area.

He said: “The wardens scheme also represents how true partnership working and community engagement can yield positive results and we hope that this combined commitment will assist the Holyland community in its ongoing regeneration.”

The Lord Mayor continued: “I firmly believe, therefore, that the wardens scheme will contribute to this ongoing work to tackle anti-social behaviour and environmental decline. However, it is crucial that the wardens are regarded as a service for all in the area - there to provide advice and reassurance to all those affected by these problems. I would therefore urge everyone living in the Holyland to work together with the wardens and our partners to bring about positive changes and harness the true potential of this area.”

The warden scheme is just one of a variety of initiatives set up by the Holyland Inter-Agency Strategy Group, to bring together statutory agencies such as Belfast City Council and government agencies, the Police, the city’s universities and colleges and other relevant bodies in order to sort out the ongoing problems within the community.

PSNI Inspector Trevor O’Neill, also welcomed the launch of the scheme. He said: “Police in South Belfast are committed to working in partnership with relevant agencies to help reduce the incidence of anti-social behaviour and low level crime in the Holyland area. We are determined to reduce the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour. We view the Community Safety Wardens as a supportive resource with whom we can work alongside our partner agencies and others who seek to make the Holyland area safer."

The scheme has also been welcomed by both the faculties and the student bodies at the city’s universities and colleges.

Queen's University Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Gerry McCormac, said that the University was pleased to welcome the launch of the new scheme.

He said: "As one of the main partners, Queen’s has worked exceptionally hard with other key stakeholders to bring the wardens project to fruition. It is important to the University that both residents and students feel less vulnerable and more secure with the wardens on the streets. We are confident that their presence will have a positive impact in the Holyland area."

(EF/SP)