OXFORD City Council is right to seek additional powers for their street wardens.

Given the valuable role they have in contributing to the lessening of antisocial behaviour, particularly on the city’s larger estates, it is essential that they have the powers they need to ensure that that role is meaningful, both for the law-abiding resident and any would-be offender.

Failure to award those additional powers will result in a reduction of the effectiveness of the work of street wardens and, at a time of a reduction in a wide range of social provision services, will encourage those socially indifferent among us who wish to engage in antisocial behaviour.

Opposition to such an extension of powers is to be expected from the Police Federation. After all, their job is to protect their members’ interests, but like it or not, the nature of community policing is going to change.

The financial challenges facing those charged with policing responsibilities, guarantee this; increasing powers to street wardens will ensure that these challenges do not lead to a reduction in law enforcement on the ground; something that is of benefit to us all.

RAY JAMES, Chairman, Rose Hill Tenants’ & Residents’ Association