Wardens employed to assist police officers could be adopted in an effort to beat crime in York, councillors have been told.

And City of York Council's traffic wardens could be given the new role.

The idea was voiced at a presentation given by Steve Walters of Clifton Moor-based Britsafe Security, which offers training for such schemes.

Although not yet suggested for the city, Liberal Democrats invited Mr Walters to tell them how a warden system would work.

"These people are actually paid and trained semi-professional evidence gatherers, and they are not police officers," he said.

"These wardens are there to gather information, to be the eyes and ears for criminal investigations by the police."The warden scheme would be considered as an answer for crime problems such as violence and anti-social behaviour, which is increasingly complained about by the citizens of York.

"It's true to say the role of the police is stretched enormously and there is an argument as to whether we want heavily-paid and very heavily-trained constables to do the jobs that wardens could do," said Mr Walters.

"They could work on issues that are important to residents, but maybe not as important to the police who are thinking of investigations of violent and serious crime."

Mr Walters said his company had already trained neighbourhood wardens for areas including South Tyneside.

The firm also trains traffic wardens at City of York Council in such disciplines as anger management, observational and communication skills to deal with problems in their day-to-day jobs.

He was asked by councillors about the possibility of traffic wardens being involved in his idea.

He said: "I don't think it's a very difficult job to extend from other posts such as traffic wardens, who could be given a wider remit. It should be quite an easy transition to make."

Mr Walters' talk was for information only and there are no firm plans to adopt the system in York.

Updated: 08:27 Thursday, July 26, 2001