A TEAM of wardens are hitting the streets in Middlesbrough to make the town safer and help its most in-need residents.

Middlesbrough Council has completed its Street Warden recruitment drive and the successful applicants have visited the Town Hall and met Mayor Andy Preston who has made community safety a top priority.

The 24 wardens will soon begin a period of training before hitting the streets.

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.

By administering the drug, the wardens, who are trained in first aid, have already saved the lives of several people in Middlesbrough in a short space of time.

Other ongoing community safety issues in Middlesbrough include the introduction of new Community Enforcement Vehicles, a consultation on a Public Space Protection Order for TS1 and extra powers for Street Wardens.

Mr Preston said: "Middlesbrough has been crying out for these Street Wardens and I'm chuffed we've managed to take on a brilliant bunch of local people who really care and want to help make Middlesbrough better.

"I really believe the Street Wardens can make a big difference and play an important role in the regeneration of the town centre."