NEIGHBOURHOOD wardens will gain greater public recognition as the nights draw out, says neighbourhood warden manager David Smith.

He was responding to comments made in the regular 'Have your say' feature in the Andover Midweek Advertiser in which some questioned the impact of the wardens, their low profile and the approach taken by them.

"We started in August in the middle of the school holidays and didn't make a massive song and dance about it," said Mr Smith.

"We didn't want to raise unrealistic expectations.

"Now we feel ready for the next summer holidays as we know 99 per cent of the young people out there and we know where the hotspots are."

Comments about lack of visibility are a reflection of the dark nights and the fact that wardens are on patrol when many are at work or in the dark when few adults are out and about.

"We are doing a great deal of positive work getting out and getting stuck in," added Mr Smith.

"Lots of people will give us information because they feel comfortable with the wardens and will talk to them.

"We are not a police or fire service and I think some haven't fully grasped what the wardens are all about. "We take the 'buddy-buddy' approach.

"We haven't got any police powers whatsoever.

"To approach a group of 30 or 40 youngsters is not easy and it takes a certain type of person to do it.

"It is very much about talking to people but having said that we will identify people who cause problems."

The team, which is on patrol on six estates in Andover and in parts of Romsey, has already identified vulnerable people in the area and is being contacted at its base by phone or by e-mail by those in need of a friendly face.

One area of particular success has been the job of locating abandoned shopping trolleys.

While none has been identified in Romsey, the wardens have found hundreds of trolleys abandoned in Andover.

Despite initial reports that some police officers might not welcome the neighbourhood wardens, Mr Smith is adamant that they have an extremely good working relationship with local police officers.