SAFER streets and a cleaner local environment are just some of the things that residents of Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield can look forward to when three community street wardens start work next spring.

A £74,000 government grant will allow one full-time and two part-time wardens to patrol Peartree ward in Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield Central ward from next April.

It is hoped that their presence on the streets will help reduce street crime, and crack down on graffiti, abandoned cars and litter.

They will work alongside police officers to deter anti-social behaviour and help people to feel more comfortable about walkingthe streets.

Leader of Welwyn Hatfield Council Margaret Birleson, said: "This is an excellent scheme which will be of great benefit to residents in these areas.

"Many people are suffering from anti-social behaviour that threatens their quality of life and the street wardens will have an important role in reassuring them and making the community safer."

The council has been awarded the money as part of the Government's Street Wardens programme which has allocated £50 million to be spent on introducing friendly faces onto the streets of Britain.

At a meeting of the council on Monday the Chairman Tony Wilder, said: "There has been growing concern about the amount of litter on our streets and the only solution is to clamp down on anti-social behaviour.

"The new wardens will wear brightly coloured uniforms and will be patrolling the areas on foot or on bicycle, to spot anti-social behaviour."

The areas in Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield were chosen because they were identified as the most needy in Hertfordshire, and the next stage is for the council to draw up specifications for the wardens' jobs.

If all goes according to plan, the communities will see the new wardens on their streets from next April.

November 1, 2001 14:45

By Claire Ling