EXTRA street wardens are patrolling key areas of Wyre Forest following the success of a pilot scheme.

It follows the achievements of the Broadwaters Neighbourhood Warden Scheme which was launched 18 months ago after it was chosen as one of 36 areas nationally to benefit from a Government initiative.

Since it was launched, crime figures in Broadwaters have dropped by 36 per cent with two neighbourhood wardens keeping an eye on anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

Now the Government is set to jointly fund a further five street wardens and a supervisor.

They will work alongside local tenant consultative committees, community leaders, landlords, businesses, the district council and the police.

They will make daily uniformed patrols and give advice on crime prevention, and also provide support for crime victims in the Rifle Range, Areley Kings, Walshes, Comberton, Offmore, Spennells and Aggborough areas.

Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership, which administers the scheme with wardens managed by Wyre Forest Community Housing's anti-social behaviour unit, said they would also help in tackling anti-social behaviour and environmental issues, and help to eradicate nuisance hot-spots by instigating better lighting and landscaping. They would also encourage the formation of community groups such as Neighbourhood Watch.

Community housing director of operations Yvonne Leishman said she was delighted the innovative scheme was being expanded to give a wider benefit to residents in the district.

She said it would help improve residents' confidence and restore their pride in their areas.