Funding for the current warden scheme ends at the end of March, and the Council has set aside £1.7 million to provide 16 new community wardens with enhanced enforcement powers who will provide an efficient, visible and professional service.

The Council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Austin Rathe stressed: “We have decided to transfer employees of the current warden scheme to the Council’s employment to ensure there will be no gap in the service. This will provide reassurance for all our residents until the new service starts in June.

“Unruly, rowdy and disorderly behaviour which intimidates people and causes anxiety will not be tolerated. The mission of our new Neighbourhood Wardens will be to reclaim the town centres from these anti-social factions and making them places for residents to enjoy in safety,” he said.

He added that the safety of residents was a top priority for the Council: “Continuity of this service is paramount – people should be able to feel safe in their neighbourhoods and the provision of this new service will enable them to do so”.