Bradford's high-profile park rangers have helped to catch 400 truants, working with police in 16 operations in the past year.

The rangers acted as the "eyes and the ears" but police detained the youngsters and education social workers interviewed them.

Now the wardens have received powers to slap £25 fixed penalty notices on litter louts and people who allow their dogs to foul the district's parks.

But the team will not be given powers of arrest when they see people committing offences - they will leave that to the police.

Bradford Council's environment scrutiny committee had asked officers to consider extending the powers of the rangers.

But members will be told at their meeting on Thursday that a decision was taken not to go ahead after discussions with lawyers and the police.

The annual review of the rangers' activities said they have been heavily involved with communities, the police and neighbourhood forums.

Members will be told the service is looking at the possibility of finding outside customers for some of its work and other ways of drawing in extra funding.

Information technology is also being used to produce data from information provided by the rangers to pin-point problem areas and people creating nuisance or breaking the law.

Today the rangers were praised by committee chairman, Councillor Keith Thomson, for their work.

He said: "It is a high-profile service and they have become experienced in a number of skills and good at concentrating on what is needed.

"Their anti-litter and anti-dog fouling work is particularly pleasing."

He said the public liked and felt reassured by their presence in the parks but there were practical difficulties in giving them powers of arrest.

"For example, police have cars to put people in when they arrest them, while our wardens have motorbikes.

"There are cells in police stations but it is difficult to see where they could be held if the wardens were doing it.

"The rangers are working very closely with the police and although some authorities have given their rangers powers of arrest it has been decided against here."