PEOPLE in Hartlepool are being asked whether they think their community wardens should be given more powers.

New legislation means that wardens can carry out enforcement tasks that have previously been the sole responsibility of the police.

Hartlepool Borough Council's scrutiny co-ordinating committee is seeking the public's views on whether to give these responsibilities to the wardens.

The tasks include confiscating alcohol from youngsters, issuing fixed penalty notices to people who set off fireworks in public places and taking the names of anyone involved in anti-social behaviour.

There are 24 community wardens operating in four teams of six. They patrol Dyke House, Jackson, parts of Brinkburn, Stranton, Owton Manor and part of Rift House.

The issue will be discussed at the next round of meetings of the council's three neighbourhood consultative forums, in the north, centre and south of the town.

Each forum is being asked to pass on its recommendations to the scrutiny co-ordinating committee.

The North Neighbourhood Consultative Forum will take place on Wednesday, at 6pm, in the Avondale Centre at Dyke House School.

Central Neighbourhood residents can have their say on Thursday, at 10am, in the Belle Vue Community Youth and Sports Centre, Kendal Road. People from the South Neighbourhood will be able to give their views at the Owton Manor Community Centre in Wynyard Road, at 10am, on Friday.

People unable to attend the forum meetings can pass on their views by contacting the council on (01429) 523087.