The starting date for Yeovil's street wardens is less than a month away.

Two recruits are currently in the final phase of training at Avon and Somerset Constabulary's headquarters in Portis-head.

Their names have not been made public yet, but they will start patrolling Yeovil East and Central wards on Monday, May 20th.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary runs the project, having won government funding to cover 50 per cent of costs for a total of eight wardens throughout the force area - with two being based in Yeovil.

A total of £22,000 had to be raised from local sources to get the project started and South Somerset District Council, Yeovil Town Council and South Somerset Homes were among contributors.

Street wardens are described as being the catalyst for resolving issues such as drug-related problems, improving communication between police and the public - thereby making the area they serve a safer place.

Overall, the aim is to build confidence within the community by reducing crime and the fear of crime.

An official document said street wardens shall "promote intolerance of vandalism to property and act as a contact point for housing problems".

Whilst every effort to curb crime is welcome, the concept of street wardens has had a rough ride at times - both nationally and locally.

Yeovil town councillors first discussed the issue six months ago, and many were of the view that anti-social behaviour would not be curbed by the presence of someone that lacked the powers of a policeman.

Councillor Peter Gubbins put it quite bluntly by saying: "I can't see the point."

Others, including Cllr Maggie Foot, were more optimistic and said it was worth a try.

When the district council debated the matter ten weeks later, Cllr Gubbins again registered his doubts by saying the kind of characters causing trouble in Milford Park were unlikely to take any notice of someone lacking the powers of the police.

As previously mentioned, street wardens undergo training provided by the police but have only powers to carry out a citizen's arrest.

A major difference, however, is the fact that street wardens spotting crime being committed will testify in court, which is not always the case with members of the public.