TRAFFIC wardens in Darlington are being given extra responsibilities to help to improve road safety and cut crime.

The wardens have recently moved from their base at St Cuthbert's Way police station to the borough council's offices at Central House in Gladstone Street.

The move has been made to allow the wardens to get involved in crime prevention campaigns and to tackle issues such as dangerous parking. It is hoped that the public will feel reassured by the presence of someone in uniform patrolling near their homes and this will also act as a deterrent to criminals.

Sgt Ian Martin, who manages Darlington's traffic wardens, said: "Over the past year Darlington's traffic wardens have moved away from just issuing parking tickets .

"Now they are regularly involved in police crime prevention and road safety campaigns.

"The wardens will continue to monitor traffic flow and parking in and around the town centre but they will also have responsibility for a designated area outside the town centre where they will tackle issues such as dangerous parking outside schools.

"The wardens will also carry out high visibility patrols as a deterrent against crime and anti-social behaviour and to raise levels of public reassurance."