Town centre Covid wardens slammed as ‘heavy-handed’
COMPLAINTS have been made to Kirklees Council that some of the new town centre support officers have been too “aggressive” and “heavyhanded”.
As part of a six-month trial funded by the town hall, six town centre support officers were recruited by Huddersfield Business Improvement District (BID).
The Covid wardens are expected to remind shoppers of the safety measures currently in place as well as report anti-social behaviour and environmental issues, such as damaged pavements or street furniture. One resident branded them “meat heads”.
An insider said: “Although they were only appointed in early April, they have already got the hackles up of some Huddersfield town centre businessmen and women and I understand some council officers are concerned about aspects of their behaviour too. Some are ex-bouncers and they have not been properly trained in how to approach people.”
Colin Parr, strategic director for environment, said: “In any role such as this, there is a delicate balance between ensuring our town centres are safe spaces for visitors to enjoy and reminding those visitors of the important safety rules we all still need to follow so more of the economy and wider society can reopen.
“The council is working with the Huddersfield BID to ensure that training for the officers is ongoing and that they are in a position to best support businesses and the recovery of the town centre.”
Matthew Chapman, manager of Huddersfield BID, added: “Huddersfield BID is working extremely closely with businesses on the ground in the town centre and, although there was some early confusion about the responsibilities of this team, the officers have been welcomed by businesses and called upon on a regular basis to assist in a range of situations.”