Dartford Borough Council has welcomed our new Town Centre Wardens to its team, strengthening the support available to residents, visitors, and businesses in the town centre.
The appointment is part of the Council’s wider commitment to making Dartford a safer, cleaner, and more welcoming place for everyone. Far from being solely about enforcement, our Town Centre Wardens’ role are focused on community engagement, building relationships, and acting as a visible, approachable presence throughout the town.
The Town Centre Wardens will be out on regular patrols in town centre hotspots, offering guidance, reassurance, and a friendly point of contact for the public and local businesses alike. They will also work closely with shopkeepers, security teams, and the police to share information, keep people informed, and support efforts to prevent anti-social behaviour before it occurs.
Leader of the Council Jeremy Kite said, “The new Town Centre Wardens are the advocates and champions of Dartford’s town Centre – whether that’s offering directions, supporting local shops, or calmly addressing behaviour that affects the quality of life in our town. They’re an extra pair of eyes and ears on the ground and an important part of our commitment to a vibrant and welcoming Dartford. If you see them about, please come and say hello to them!”
Whilst their first priority is to engage and encourage positive behaviour, the Town Centre Wardens are also equipped with enforcement powers where necessary. In cases involving persistent anti-social activity – such as street drinking, littering, or nuisance vehicles – they will gather intelligence and report it to the Council or Dartford Town Against Crime (DTAC) for further action.
In addition to their work around public behaviour, the Town Centre Wardens will also report environmental issues such as broken street lighting, graffiti, and street cleaning, which will help to ensure that Dartford remains a clean, safe and inviting place for everyone.
Local businesses are encouraged to connect with the Town Centre Wardens via the Councils radio network, where they will be the first point of contact for day-to-day support and quick response.