[Full Time]

Area: Witham

A bus driver for 18 years who used to organise social trips to Old Trafford, Les is seen as a "good geezer" by local youths in Witham.

"I chat to the kids and the PCSOs have told me I'm quite well liked."

He feels he is settling into the role well and enjoys the partnership he has both with Essex Police and Witham Town Council.

"I work well with the Riverwalk guys - if they come across any graffiti or anything they let me know. If they see me working on something they stop and give me a hand and visa versa."

Les believes even the presence of a Warden can deter antisocial behaviour and has experienced this first hand.

"The Police used to receive 60 something calls a week relating to youth nuisance. I had a word and said I'd look at setting up somewhere for them to go if they started to change their behaviour. I said it won't be next week, it might not even be in the next six months and it might not be able to happen at all but it's made such a difference - now the Police say they get less than 30 calls in a week."

His job as a Warden can involve anything from resolving neighbour disputes to doing a bit of gardening.

"A lady rang to tell me she kept getting pricked by the overgrown bushes near her house. So I went home, got my shears and trimmed the bushes for her!"

Les hopes he and the rest of his colleagues are seen as being positive, reliable and helpful.

"We always try to help and if we can't we will find someone who can."

Les is an avid Man Utd fan and used to regularly arrange touring trips to matches. He is married with two children and one grandchild and enjoys playing snooker and darts.