An extra 300 street wardens are to be put into England's most notorious crime areas.

The increase will cost �22.5m and bring the number of street wardens across the country to 1,050.

Barbara Roche, minister of state in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, said: "This demonstrates our commitment to bringing street crime and anti-social behaviour under control."

No specific areas have been named yet, but the government is working with regional crime directors to identify potential areas for wardens.

We are not asking them to replace the role of the police or tackle violent robbers

David Blunkett

Home Secretary David Blunkett added: "These extra street wardens will play a vital role in helping to stamp out the thuggery and anti-social behaviour."

Areas in London so far identified include: Brent, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Hackney, Haringay, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Westminster.

Outside London, areas being considered are Manchester, Salford, Blackpool, Liverpool, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Coventry, Walsall, Sandwell, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Bristol and Nottingham.

Street crime

Ms Roche said: "Wardens are helping to reduce crime and the fear of crime in many neighbourhoods and town centres.

"Today's announcement to fund extra wardens in crime hotspots will build on this success."

Mr Blunkett said: "We are not asking them to replace the role of the police or tackle violent robbers.

"That is why we are also investing an additional �36m, on top of record police funding levels, for policing operations and the new community support officers to combat street crime."

At present wardens have no more powers than ordinary civilians.

However, if the Police Reform Bill becomes law their powers could be increased to include detaining suspects and enforcing cordons around suspected terrorist incidents.