A FORMER bouncer and security worker has become the first woman to join a squad of street wardens.
Debra Boughey, 38, has joined the Wear Valley Street Wardens team, which patrols troubled communities cleaning up streets and improving safety.
Ms Boughey, who has worked on the doors at pubs in Crook and Bishop Auckland for four years, took up her post alongside Steve Green on the Woodhouse Close Estate, in Bishop Auckland, on Monday.
She hopes to offer residents, particularly women, children and the elderly, a friendly face to confide in, believing they may find a female warden more approachable.
Her training will include sessions with the police and fire service to learn about home security and safety and conflict management and advice from Orbit to deal with drugs issues.
Roger Ward, scheme manager, said: "I hope that having a woman as part of the team will make us more approachable to those people who would rather confide in a woman. I also think she may offer new ideas."
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