Bradford Council is all set to embark on a recruitment drive to employ ten new 'street wardens' to patrol the city from May 2002.

Deputy Council leader Councillor Richard Wight-man, today said he was confident the recruited wardens would mirror the success of the existing 85 neighbourhood warden schemes across the country.

But police federation chiefs today branded the initiative "a waste of money" which will only add work to already overloaded officers.

The new wardens will hit the streets to ensure the city is kept free of graffiti, litter and minor crimes and will be employed by the Council but managed by police.

Mal Shield, who runs Kirklees Council's neighbourhood warden scheme, said that the wardens were easily identifiable on the streets.

He said: "Neighbourhood wardens function in four parts of Kirklees.

"It is our function to observe and report incidents of graffiti and other minor crimes.

"We facilitate the link between housing, the police and tenants' residents associations and contact anyone who can help resolve a problem.

"Our wardens wear polo shirts and trousers.

"The uniform is not too formal but they are easily recognisable."

Bradford's street wardens will be paid and be on a contract which will last up to three years.

Councillor Wightman said: "These wardens will have the powers of citizen's arrest but no more.

"They will wear a distinctive uniform and be able to make a citizen's arrest and then get in touch with the police by phone.

"I really think it will be a welcome move and will give a good presence in the city centre.

"It is an opportunity to have an effect on people in the city who could cause mayhem and discomfort for the general public and people who work in retail.

But West Yorkshire Police Federation secretary Richard Critchley said the £255,000 given to Bradford by the Government to fund the project should have been invested in recruiting more police officers.

"These street wardens haven't got any power or authority and if they do spot trouble then they will have to ring the police.

"This will only add to the number of calls coming into stations where police officers are already fully stretched."