A GROUP of 16 street wardens in Middlesbrough have completed the first part of their training and will begin work next month.

The wardens have been through an intensive programme covering how to deal with anti-social behaviour, litter, graffiti, abandoned cars, empty properties, alley gates and neighbourhood watch activities. Guided by scheme manager, Bill Thompson, they will now go on to issues such as drug awareness and health and safety issues.

The wardens will begin patrolling next month and will operate from Grove Hill and cover North Ormesby, Hemlington, Gresham, Westbourne and Southfield wards.

The William Sutton Trust has operated a warden scheme in Saltersgill since last year and its success provides a solid framework on which to build the wider scheme.

Councillor Sylvia Connolly, deputy leader of Middlesbrough Council, said: "We see the warden scheme as a major element in reducing crime and the fear of crime, which are big concerns for residents.

"We have chosen the target wards in conjunction with our partners to complement and protect other investment in these areas, such as CCTV, alley gates and housing renewals.

"I am convinced in the long-term we will see real and sustained benefits from this co-ordinated approach."