Neighbourhood wardens to tackle key issues

Durham County Council has employed 11 new neighbourhood wardens to help it keep enviro-crime and anti-social behaviour under control.

The local authority has invested £500,000 for this re c r u i tm e nt a s pa rt o f i t s efforts to ensure previous reductions in activities like fly-tipping are continued.

Wardens have the power to issue fixed penalty notices for environmental crimes such as littering, abandoned vehicles, graffiti and allowing a dog to foul or stray.

T h e n ew re c r u i t s w i l l wo rk ac ro s s C ou nty Du r - ham. Four of them will focus solely on fly-tipping.

Council leader Simon Henig said: “I am delighted that we are now able to announce such a significant reinforcement of our neighbourhood warden teams.

“We were really pleased to be in a position to prioritise these services for investment in our budget earlier this year.

"As we know how importa nt ou r f ro nt-line services are to the everyday lives of residents across County Durham.

“T h i s i s j u s t th e b eg i nning of the £31million we are investing over the next two years.

"And we look forward to releasing details of similar enhancements to our services when we can.”

Among the new recruits is Martin Allison, who said: “I am looking forward to it and speaking to all the members of the community I am going to be working in.

“I t’s ab o ut ge tt i n g i nt o c o m m u n i t i e s a n d s p e a king to people, and building a rapport with residents in the area.

“The more you help them, the more they help you. It is ab out m a k i n g th o s e l i n k s with the community.”