Changes to the neighbourhood wardens service in County Durham are proving successful.
A new shift pattern was introduced on April 30, which means the wardens are now on duty during evenings and on weekends across the county.
Changes to working arrangements also mean neighbourhood wardens have taken on responsibility for collecting stray dogs.
Since the changes were brought in, the initial results show that they are having a positive impact on communities.
As well as improvements to the collection of stray dogs reported out of hours, the wardens have also been better able to tackle low level anti-social behaviour – including underage alcohol seizures – during evenings.
Oliver Sherratt, head of direct services at Durham County Council, said: “The wardens service is there to tackle local issues and provide reassurance to communities.
“By changing the working arrangements in this way we have made it possible for wardens to be on duty at the times they are most needed, particularly evenings.
“These changes have also meant that the level of service is consistent across the county.”
The new shift pattern follows an earlier move to extend the wardens service.
The new teams will focus specifically on issues which are important to local communities, including keeping areas clean and green, tackling low-level anti-social behaviour in partnership with the police and taking tough action against those who damage the environment through littering and dog fouling.
■ Pictured are neighbourhood wardens at Durham County Council with Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships at Durham County Council.