Following on from a project started in Byker. Cowgate now has its own street wardens. Children's Express reporters ask young people who they are and do they think it is a good idea
| If I could give the street wardens one power, it would be to make Cowgate a better place. |
Cheryl Paxton, 12, Cowgate
I think Cowgate needs street wardens because of all the kids that mess about in the street and burn stuff. It's a good idea. It'll stop kids getting into trouble. I found about them from posters on bins. The wardens should have introduced themselves to the children on the estate before they came here though.
From what I've seen of them, the wardens seem helpful and friendly. They talk to people on the streets and do their job. I've not had any personal contact with them. They should be able to persuade people to keep clean and tidy but I don't think they will.
Christopher Warbie, 12, Cowgate
I don't think that we need street wardens because Cowgate is already clean and tidy. I found out about them when I saw them walking along the street.
Elizabeth Ritzema, 11, Cowgate
I think Cowgate needs street wardens - very much, for keeping the streets tidy. I don't know why they've come onto the estate. We get leaflets telling us about them coming onto estate, but I don't remember reading anything interesting in it. They might be able to clear up stuff and keep Cowgate clean, help make it a better place.
They seem OK. The wardens always say hello when you go past. If I could give them one power, it would be the power to make Cowgate a better place.
George McAthey, 9, Cowgate
I don't think it's a good idea to have street wardens because all they will do is boss you around. I didn't get a leaflet and when I met them they didn't introduce themselves to me properly. I don't they will make the people of Cowgate keep the area clean and tidy.
Kirsten Caine, 12, Cowgate
We need street wardens here because it's a little bit rough. I think they've been put on the estate because of things that have happened. I found about the street wardens through a leaflet but they could have made the leaflet more understandable to children. The wardens are nice. They aren't nasty to you. I think the powers the wardens have been given and them always being around will help improve the estate.
Sonia McAthey, 14, Cowgate
Cowgate needs street wardens to stop the vandalism. I found out about them through a leaflet and it told me everything I wanted to know but I don't think they have done enough to introduce themselves to young people in Cowgate. I don't think that they will persuade people to keep the area clean and tidy.
Samantha Newby, 16, Cowgate
It doesn't matter what the street wardens do because the people of Cowgate wont listen to them. I think they were introduced to stop drugs and people hanging around the streets. In a way it's a good idea because it will keep people off the streets and stop them doing drugs but not if they are just going to be nosey because then you wont have your own privacy.
I have seen the street wardens walking around. I didn't know that they were coming onto the estate until I saw them. I'm not sure they are friendly because when you are passing they give you dodgy looks as if to say what you doing here.
Scott Rainey, 12, Cowgate
There is no point in Cowgate street wardens looking after kids because they do what they want. They are here to clean up the estate and find new things for the kids who hang about the estate. I didn't get a leaflet about them I just saw them walking down the street with their yellow bibs on. They didn't do enough to introduce themselves. They try to be friendly but everyone calls them names. They tried to play football with me the other day but I told them to go away.
I don't think their powers will help people of Cowgate keep the area clean and tidy because they are nothing special. There is no joy in being a street warden because they just get laughed at.
About the team
Interviews by Melissa Skinner, 12 and Shellie Lockyer, 10. Junior Jury is a weekly column published by the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.
