TRAFFIC wardens in Stratford district, which includes Shipston, are to become the "eyes and ears" of the police.

Stratford District Council and Warwickshire Police announced last month (feb) that the community safety accreditation of 20 Stratford district parking attendants would lead to greater information sharing with the police.

Stratford District Commander, Chief Inspector Christine Wadsworth, said the aim of the new initiative was to help reduce crime in the district.

"We will be providing the parking attendants with regular intelligence updates and getting in touch with them in quick time to pass information out to them as and when needed.

"This means that while they are carrying out their normal parking attendant duties, we can ask them to keep their eyes and ears open to help us progress ongoing investigations or to gather intelligence. This could include helping to locate suspicious vehicles or persons or feeding back information on antisocial behaviour, " said CI Wadsworth.

"By working together in this way, we hope to have a dramatic effect on reducing crime in the area.

CI Wadsworth said the accreditation of the parking attendants has taken 18 months to achieve and was example of effective partnership working in the district.

SDC community service portfolio holder Chris William Portfolio holder said: "This new partnership with the police will give our residents confidence that we are actively working, not only to reduce the fear of crime, but also to improve the reduction of crime in our district."

Community safety accreditation was established under the Police Reform Act 2002 to allow the police to accredit non-police employees working in a community safety role.

A wide range of different people can be accredited including neighbourhood wardens, security guards, park rangers and hospital security staff.

Warwickshire police accreditation manager David Shirley said the Stratford scheme, the second in the county, would be used as a template for future accreditation schemes.