A STREET warden got more than he bargained for when he found a battered old shoebox hidden behind a tree.

Tim Davies found eight cannabis packages with an estimated street value of £160 and two knuckle dusters stashed in the box on the Greenwood estate, in Bicester, during a routine patrol.

Mr Davies, 42, said: “I was out in broad daylight at around 1.30pm and saw a package behind a tree. It looked a bit odd so I thought I’d see what it was.

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw the drugs. I thought it was going to be some fly tipping.

“I’ve always got a camera with me when I’m on patrol so took a few quick pictures and contacted the police.”

Pc Matt Longman, of Bicester police, said “It is certainly an unusual find for an area that doesn’t have a drug problem, but it shows that targeted patrols are paying off.

“The drugs in question have now been sent for destruction and our investigation is on-going.”

District councillor Nigel Morris, Cherwell District Council’s executive member for safer communities, said it proved the value of street wardens to the community.

He said: “Street wardens play a crucial role, acting as a link between the community, the council and the police.

“This incident proves how valuable they are.

“If Tim hadn’t found this package the drugs would almost certainly have reached the streets or, even worse, could have been found by children.

“Once again the street wardens have demonstrated the good they do for the community.”

A team of four street wardens have been pounding the streets of Bicester since 2007.

They do not have the power of arrest, but are employed by the council to act as the eyes and ears of the community.

Last year, in a joint initiative with Charter Housing, they were successful in getting a garage area in Winterbourne Close fenced off to stop drug users congregating.

bicester@oxfordmail.co.uk