Street wardens get police powers

Six new street wardens are to walk the beat in the Kent borough of Swale in an attempt to curb anti-social behaviour.

The patrols will be concentrated around the shopping areas of Sittingbourne, Sheerness and Faversham.

The wardens will use some police powers after being the first in Swale to have passed police accredited training.

They will be able to issue fines to people acting anti-socially, confiscate alcohol and order the removal of abandoned vehicles.

The wardens will be part of a new Environmental Response Section created by Swale Borough Council to tackle issues around anti-social behaviour.

Council leader Andrew Bowles said the joint partnership with Kent Police and Kent County Council was committed to helping people feel safer on the streets.