BURNLEY MP Peter Pike has stepped up his campaign to ensure that neighbourhood wardens become a permanent part of policing in East Lancashire and across the UK.

He raised the success of two schemes in his constituency during Home Office Questions at the Commons yesterday.

Mr Pike is delighted at the projects based around Duke Bar and Burnley Wood have achieved a great deal in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour by giving the police new support.

He asked Police Minister Hazel Blears: "Do you agree that community policing and working with neighbourhood wardens is reassuring many people that a minority will not be able to destroy the lives of the majority?

"Will you give an assurance that we will continue to see further development of both community policing and neighbourhood warden schemes?"

Mrs Blears replied: "You make an extremely important point and you know that we now have record numbers of police officers, more than ever before in this country, out on our streets.

"There are also about 3,000 community support officers now patrolling and increasing numbers of neighbourhood wardens, some of them funded not only by local authorities but by housing associations, so we are beginning to see a real partnership of people.

"They are on the side of the decent law-abiding majority in this country, helping to ensure that anti-social behaviour is properly tackled wherever it arises."

After the exchange, Mr Pike said: "I strongly support community policing and neighbourhood wardens. The two neighbourhood warden schemes in Burnley have been a great success. We have secured funding for them to continue in the short term.

"But I want to see neighbourhood wardens and community support officers for the police to become a permanent part of the law and order system in Burnley, East Lancashire and across the country.

"They play a key role and I am encouraged by what the minister said. The Burnley experience shows they are making a real difference."