A COUNCIL is recruiting for new street wardens to join its frontline team and help strengthen communities across the town.

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston has made a priority of community safety since his election in May with the introduction of new Community Enforcement Vehicles.

Now, Middlesbrough Council has confirmed it will take on an additional 23 Street Wardens.

The role involves intervening on unacceptable behaviour, supporting vulnerable people and being a visible frontline responder.

Street Wardens wear body-worn cameras, have the power to issue Fixed Penalty Notices and have also recently begun carrying naloxone kits - a drug that reverses the effects of an overdose.

Mr Preston, who was elected earlier this year, said: "Our Street Wardens are fantastic, we need more and they are going to make us safer, they are going to make us feel better, they are going to protect us, they are going to keep our streets clean and they are going to save lives."