UNIFORMED wardens are due to patrol Congleton and Alsager next year to help cut crime and tackle vandalism.

Some 10 wardens would cover all five towns across the borough, working alongside police and the borough council's surveillance camera system.

The new initiative would cost £66,000 a year, and include a 24-hours a day 'emergency response' service.

Glyn Chambers, the council's head of environment and public protection, said the wardens would be a professionally trained and equipped team.

"They would provide uniformed patrols to reassure communities and individuals, increase public safety, prevent crime and address vandalism," he said.

"Wardens would not have the powers of special constables, but would be the local eyes and ears of the communities.

"They could take on routine police tasks, freeing local police officers to deal with those tasks requiring their skills and status."

The warden team would respond via radios to requests from the police, public or the council's CCTV control centre, he said, in addition to patrolling and building strong links with local people.

"The scheme has been enthusiastically received by the public as a worthwhile front line service to increase safety and reduce fear of crime," he added.

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