WYRE Forest's first ever neighbourhood wardens are taking to the streets this month in a bid to crackdown on anti-social behaviour, crime and vandalism.

The scheme, one of only a handful operating across the country, will see two wardens patrolling the Broadwaters ward on a daily basis from Monday, July 16.

It follows a successful bid by Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership for Government funding of £114,000 over two years. Wardens Kate Foxall and John Sadler, will work to improve the quality of life for residents in the Broadwaters ward.

The two wardens, Kate Foxall and John Sadler, will work alongside community leaders, residents group, landlords, businesses, the local authorities and the police to improve the quality of life for the 6.750 residents living in the Broadwaters ward under the management of Wyre Forest Community Housing's anti-social behaviour unit.

Tom Magee, WFCH's district anti-social behaviour policy manager and newly-appointed regional champion for the national neighbourhood warden unit, said: "Having witnessed first hand similar schemes in Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia, I am confident we can make a real difference to the people's lives and businesses of Broadwaters."

The warden will give advice on crime prevention and provide support for victims of crime.

They will also help WFCH and its partners tackle nuisance hotspots through better lighting and hard landscaping and support the formation of community groups such as neighbourhood watch schemes.

The launch of the scheme follows a recent crime and disorder audit which identified a "plethora" of community safety issues including criminal damage, theft from motor vehicles and burglary of homes.

The most numerous type of calls to police included breaches of the peace, domestic disputes and incidents of public nuisance.

A spokeswoman for WFCH said the wardens would not tackle anti-social behaviour themselves but would act as "eyes and ears," working with the community.