CRIME-busting street wardens, who patrol nuisance hotspots in Wyre Forest, should be expanded into other areas to improve safety.

But the cost of increasing patrols should be borne by the whole community - not just by the "least well off", say district Labour group members.

The group, led by Councillor Jamie Shaw, is calling on fellow district councillors to agree to raise the issue with the umbrella West Midlands Local Government Association to start a debate about the best way to pay for them. Wyre Forest Community Housing (WFCH) chiefs introduced the wardens in 2001 as part of the district's community safety strategy. They are part-funded by the housing company's tenants in patrolled areas.

The first wardens were introduced in Broadwaters, Kidderminster. Their presence coincided with a 36 per cent drop in crime in the area.

Last year similar schemes were set up in Foley Park, Offmore and Comberton, in Kidderminster, and The Walshes estate in Stourport, supported by more than £160,000 of Government funding.

Mr Shaw, who is putting his group's motion to the full district council next Wednesday, said: "A new source of funding needs to be found before the service can expand.

"It is patently unfair that a service which benefits all the community it serves should be paid for by the least well-off section of that community, namely the tenants of Wyre Forest Community Housing."

A WFCH spokesman said funding for the scheme, which is administered by Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership, ran up to next March.

"We will be discussing future funding options with the partnership soon and would, of course, welcome all discussions about other sources of funding and support," he added.