Child wardens police communities

Council leaders said the scheme would cut crime

Children are to join patrols of estates in Perth as part of an effort to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Junior Community Wardens will be deployed in Letham and Hillyland, where they will report litter and graffiti.

Youngsters aged nine to 11 will be issued with their own special uniforms, including a high-visibility waistcoat and baseball cap.

Perth and Kinross Council is starting the scheme after its success in other areas of Scotland.

The children will be given six weeks of training and will be taught about the environment, emergency services, citizenship and first aid.

They will then help adult community wardens with projects like litter-picks or graffiti-spotting.

Community pride

In addition, they will be given notebooks to report incidents of anti-social behaviour.

The council's community safety convener said the scheme would help instil local pride in young people.

Councillor Willie Robertson said: "Children will be encouraged to consider the consequences of their actions, which will contribute towards a long-term aim of reducing or eliminating their future involvement in crime and anti-social behaviour.

"By raising their awareness of the environmental issues which surround them, the children will be empowered to play a vital role in improving their neighbourhood.

"Getting youngsters involved with the community wardens in their neighbourhoods will help break down the communication gap between themselves and older people, fostering good relationships for the future."