Junior wardens celebrate their first year

The 12 pupils of Laburnum Grove Junior School have spent the past year leading by example to their class mates.

The project was the first of its kind in the Arun district when it was set up. It is funded by the Arun crime and disorder reduction partnership.

The junior wardens have been reporting what they have been told or what they have seen since last December.

They have noted matters such as graffiti, fly tipping and anti social behaviour in a log book at the school.

The book is regularly monitored by the council's community safety service to ensure issues are quickly and safely tackled.

By getting involved with the project, the seven to 11-year-old wardens have developed a sense of community pride.

They have also passed on the message to their friends that anti-social behaviour is a nuisance for everyone.

The junior wardens have joined the community wardens on projects such as clean-ups and organising activities for children.

Their headteacher, Pip Otton, said the junior wardens' scheme was the idea of the children.

'I was impressed because this made me realise that these lovely children really take a pride in their school and local community and really wanted to make a difference and help other people in the area,' she commented.

Arun's councillor for community safety, Roger Elkins, said: 'The junior wardens have made a major contribution to their local environment and learnt to work together to make their community a safer and cleaner place.

'Environmental issues are high on today's agenda. These young people are helping to improve the quality of life for their family and friends.'