A new warden scheme has contributed to a 25% drop in the street crime rate in a Suffolk town in its first month, police say.

The wardens began patrolling the streets of Bury St Edmunds at the end of August in a �500,000 trial scheme run by local councils and the police.

Figures show there were 25% fewer street crimes in the centre of the town in September than in August.

A spokesman for Suffolk Police said: "It's early days yet, but the street wardens have certainly had an impact."

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He said that other factors, including the recruitment of extra police officers and more street patrols by Community Beat Officers, had also helped.

The street warden pilot scheme began at the end of November, and will run until March 2004.

Patrols run on three evenings a week, including Fridays and Saturdays.

The wardens' role is to offer advice to visitors, deal with anti-social behaviour, note vandalism or litter problems, and report serious crimes to the police.

David Abbott, the team leader of the wardens, said his teams had been welcomed by residents.

"But I have to say it's not policing on the cheap - it's dealing with those matters which are not a major priority for the police."