A NEIGHBOURHOOD warden scheme is being put forward as a national model after helping to reduce crime dramatically in Darlington.

Uniformed wardens have been patrolling the town alongside police officers since May last year.

Since then, the number of burglaries in Darlington has dropped by 17 per cent.

In some parts of the town the number of burglaries has been reduced by as much as 40 per cent, and the scheme has brought praise from police and local authorities around the country.

The wardens patrol residential areas on foot, identifying those people at risk and gathering intelligence.

So far, the scheme has concentrated on reducing burglaries.

The scheme's success has attracted interest from Sir David O'Dowd, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, who visited Darlington and subsequently recommended the scheme to the Home Office.

Teams from West Midlands Police, the Metropolitan Police, Islington Borough Council and Sunderland City Council have visited Darlington to view the scheme.

The initiative was the first of its kind in the region. It was initially funded with £78,000 from the Home Office Reduction Programme Grant.

Since May 2000, the scheme has attracted more than £300,000 of additional Government funding and there are now six wardens and a senior warden.

The scheme has also been praised by police and councillors in Darlington, who have highlighted the successful partnership between police and wardens.

Councillor Bill Dixon, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for social services, said: "The uniformed wardens have been both popular and effective.

"The results are impressive. They are helping to make Darlington streets a safer place to be."

In February, the scheme was awarded a further £120,000 of Government money to provide an extra three wardens.

Inspector Dennis Dixon, community safety inspector in Darlington, said: "The Darlington division of Durham Constabulary is very pleased with the way the neighbourhood wardens have developed in the first year.

"They now have close links with the police beat teams and have contributed to a reduction in burglaries. We look forward to the expansion of the scheme and developing even closer links with the wardens in the future."