Sir, There will no doubt be mixed feelings in response to the news that traffic wardens are to disappear from Border towns in February. The Wardens were first introduced to the area nearly 50 years ago by the then Chief Constable to deal with town centre parking issues and minor traffic related offences. This move enabled police officers to devote more time to deal with crime related matters and keep people safe.

As well as successfully enforcing traffic regulations and freeing up expensive police resources they are clearly identified as “Police Traffic Wardens” and carry radios giving instant communication to their local Police Station. They are highly visible and well known in our communities and in direct contact with the public while going about their duty on foot in all weathers.

As such their very presence tends to deter would be offenders and not just for traffic offences. They therefore have a role to play in Police Scotland’s quest for “Keeping People Safe”.

There are many examples where an alarm raised by traffic wardens on patrol has resulted in people being apprehended in the act of stealing from delivery vehicles, business premises and shops or initiating a quick response to medical emergencies and other street incidents. Their value therefore is difficult to measure in any target based culture if they are to be assessed on the volume of fixed penalty tickets issued. There is understandably no means of filling the gap when these traffic wardens are withdrawn and preventative patrolling on the same level by police officers is a most unlikely scenario.

Hopefully Police Scotland will take note of the public feeling being expressed on this issue through their community groups, councillors and politicians. Even in times of austerity, spending wisely works.

I am, etc.

Andrew I. Farquhar Park View Hawick