Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Marshals scheme to tackle student tensions speedily
As Canterbury’s 30,000 students disperse for their summer holidays, plans are gathering pace to prevent potential anti-social behaviour on their return.
A community marshals scheme, funded by the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University, is preparing to launch in September to improve relations with local residents.
Consultation has begun on the project, with surveys sent to those living close to either campus, asking what levels of disturbance they have experienced.
The scheme has already attracted controversy, with critics questioning whether the marshals, who have no powers other than taking people’s names, could be perceived as a replacement for police patrols. This has been denied by those behind the scheme.
Terry Westgate, chairman of the St Michael’s resident’s group, says there have been “ongoing issues” with student behaviour over several years.
With thousands of teenagers set to begin courses in September, it is hoped the year-long pilot will help solve potential tensions with residents as students plan Freshers’ Week parties in the city.
He said: “There has been an ongoing problem with students for several years in the area. Unless you try schemes like this, you just don’t know if they are going to work or not. I don’t think that community marshals would be replacing policing.
“The aim of it is to keep students safe in the area and also make them aware that they are in a residential place and that they need to keep the noise down. I think everyone hopes this is going to work.”
Jan Pahl, chairman of the Canterbury Society, believes the community marshal scheme will be widely welcomed.
She said: “Residents will welcome this as much as students themselves – which will help them walk home safely from a night in the city.
“Canterbury is the city in Europe with the highest proportion of students, with a population of around 30,000 students to 50,000 full-time residents.
“This creates a lot of jobs and benefits to the area, with the University of Kent worth £ 0.7 billion to the economy.
“But with so many young people there are night-time disturbances, so having a warden-type scheme is a good idea.
“This is an especially good idea given the cutbacks to police, but I hope they are given training like PCSOs, as there are skills to the job, which is one of people management.”
City council spokesman Rob Davies has confirmed the authority will be helping with the project.
He said: “This is a new initiative for Canterbury, and with 30,000 students in the city it is looking to make a positive step towards better communications with students and residents.
“The project is hoping to focus on individuals’ safety, good relationships and a better quality of life for all.
“With joint information sharing in place and a furthered visible presence in the area, we hope that this will support the already safe night time economy and build further on relationships between all involved.”
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