COMMUNITY wardens have vowed to get tough after being granted new police powers.

Stockton Borough Council has increased its force of community wardens to 38.

The expanded force, which also includes four enforcement officers, will now be able to confiscate alcohol and seize nuisance vehicles.

Its powers will also mean wardens can issue on-the-spot fines for environmental offences such as littering, including drivers and pedestrians who discard cigarette butts.

The council's anti-social behaviour officers will also see their powers increase

After undergoing a programme of training, the officers will be allowed to demand names and addresses from anyone found to be commiting anti-social behaviour.

Graeme Small, Stockton council's enforcement co-ordinator, said: "We want to make it crystal clear that those who choose to flout the laws which protect the quality of life and environment of decent, respectful residents will be brought to task for their actions with the growth in numbers of accredited officers.

"And those who try to obstruct or assault my officers will face arrest."