By Stuart Dye

FOUR new community wardens could be on the streets of Congleton Borough by the end of September.

The Home Office has made funding available for such schemes nationwide and Congleton Borough Council has made an application.

If successful, the number of wardens would increase from eight to 12.

A spokesman for the borough council said: "The wardens are proving very successful and we are looking at extending the scheme.

"The fact that central government is making money available shows the faith they have in these schemes."

The borough council is now waiting on the decision which should be made by the end of this month.

But there is still a lot of opposition to the scheme.

Middlewich mayor Clr Dave Sutton said: "I think my views reflect those of most of the people of the town.

"People do not want wardens patrolling the streets; they want police. This is what makes them feel safe."

Meanwhile the leader of Congleton Borough Council, Linda Short, has launched a major campaign to improve policing in the borough.

The unrest over the lack of police resources in Middlewich has increased dramatically over the past few months, despite police reports that there has been no rise in crime.

Now Clr Short wants residents to get behind her plea for more police and a fully manned station in Middlewich.

On Saturday, September 16 there will be a petition in the Bull Ring between 10am and 2pm.