PARKING wardens are to be the new eyes and ears of the police in helping to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

Partnership Plus, a joint initiative between the council, parking company NCP and the police, will see police patrolling alongside wardens in areas where high levels of assaults have been recorded.

And the wardens will take a more active role in reporting any suspicious activity and help in operations run by local Safer Neighbourhood teams.

They will also be given DNA testing kits, commonly known as spit kits, which have been used elsewhere to prosecute members of the public who spit at attendants, according to a council spokesman.

Martin Esom, the council's director of environmental services, added: "Partnership is the best way of tackling anti-social behavior and I am delighted that we're all working towards a common goal.

"Our parking attendants can help act as the eyes and ears of the police if they see any suspicious activity while on patrol and the police, in turn, will be on hand to give them support."

NCP street director Ian Kavanagh said the scheme would help reduce the level of assaults and abuse parking wardens received while carrying out their duties.

He added: "We hope that we will be able to give something back to the police by providing more formal support in terms of observing and recording street crime and disorder.

"The number of assaults on traffic wardens is at an unacceptable level and this initiative will ensure that our officers can go about their daily business free from harassment and threats."