Threat to village wardens

The scheme aims to help reduce the fear of crime

A village warden scheme in Cornwall is being threatened by a loss of government funding.

The Mullion Neighbourhood Warden Scheme, which started in July 2001, is in place to reassure local residents worried about crime and vandalism.

Three officers have been patrolling the village on the Lizard since the scheme started.

Kerrier District Council, which manages the project, says it is looking at ways to secure its future.

Future viability

The warden scheme has one senior warden and two part-time wardens.

As well as help reduce crime, the project also aims to promote community spirit and provide an interface between residents, the police and local authorities.

The council's acting head of environmental services, Phil Walsh, said the council is looking at ways to secure the project.

He said: "We've managed to get money to fund a research project for six months which will look at warden schemes across the whole of the district and watch their future viability.

"It will tell us what they have achieved, what they could achieve and what a better way forward is."