Police officers will still patrol the same areas

The scheme introduced by North Wales Police is the first in Wales and will see civilians patrolling the streets working alongside regular officers and helping to combat crime.

Until now community wardens working in other areas of the county have been chiefly concerned with minor offences like parking issues.

The first two wardens will begin their work on the Caia Park estate in Wrexham and at Chirk near Wrexham next Monday.

They will also be based in the village of Gwersyllt and the council has agreed funding for 10 neighbourhood wardens in all by 2005.

The wardens will be a highly visible presence in the community Shan Wilkinson

Police say the scheme aims to reduce residents' fear of crime and improve their quality of life.

The wardens are based in communities identified as most affected by anti-social behaviour and juvenile crime.

Their duties will spending a minimum of two hours of their afternoon to early evening working day patrolling out on the streets.

"Too many people's lives are plagued by anti-social behaviour, vandalism, graffiti, dumped rubbish, abandoned cars and other nuisance," said North Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Steve Curtis.

The force has previously adopted a tough stance on anti-social behaviour.

Funding for the pilot scheme has been agreed for two years and is a joint initiative including Wrexham Council and North Wales Police.

Advice

Residents will be able to contact wardens on their mobile phones and e-mail, as well as attend regular community surgeries.

"The wardens will be a highly-visible presence in the community, out there talking to members of the public, listening to concerns, offering advice and taking action," said Wrexham Council Leader Shan Wilkinson.

In January 2003 eight community wardens were introduced across Denbighshire.

That project is being run by community safety organisation Stars in Denbighshire, working alongside Denbighshire Council and North Wales Police.

The north Wales scheme was based upon a similar project in Merthyr Tydfil in south Wales.