Merton's Safer Streets Neighbourhood Wardens
Merton's Safer Streets Neighbourhood Wardens are demonstrating impact on drug treatment referrals and community safety.
Merton's Safer Streets Neighbourhood Wardens are demonstrating their impact on early intervention for drug and alcohol issues, with referrals for treatment spiking from 4 to 39 in a single month. A report presented to the Merton Council Overview and Scrutiny Commission in November 2025 highlighted this success, alongside increased feelings of safety around Mitcham bandstand, Upper Green, and St Mark's car park.
The wardens' role includes providing a visible presence, tackling anti-social behaviour, supporting police, and collaborating with the council's ASB Team for early intervention and consistent enforcement. Their work also involves safe interventions, such as supporting intoxicated individuals to hospital and de-escalating conflicts outside licensed premises.
Key facts
- Referrals for drug and alcohol treatment spiked from 4 to 39 in one month, a report said in November 2025. Source
- A report on the wardens' impact was presented to Merton Council Overview and Scrutiny Commission in November 2025. Source
- Increased feelings of safety were reported around Mitcham bandstand, Upper Green, and St Mark's car park. Source
- Wardens support intoxicated individuals to hospital and de-escalate conflicts outside licensed premises. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.