STREET wardens are on patrol in Poole High Street – tackling everything from lost children to theft and antisocial behaviour.

The uniformed security guards were hired by Poole Town Centre Management for a trial period, which began at Easter.

They have proved such a success that funding has been agreed to keep the service until the end of the financial year.

The wardens are equipped with radios linking them to the 65 shops and businesses which are Town Centre Management members, as well as CCTV control and Poole’s safer neighbourhood police team.

So far the team, currently provided by Poole-based company SWL Security, has assisted with 16 public order incidents and six thefts, helped find four lost children and given first aid to four injured shoppers.

Town centre manager Richard Randle-Jones said they have the training and insurance to detain people until police arrive.

They can also deal with cyclists in pedestrianised areas, gather evidence for Poole council to prosecute litter bugs, and ask people to stop drinking and move on.

As well as acting as a deterrent to troublemakers, they are also on hand to assist shoppers and provide directions.

“That’s my brief to them,” added Mr Randle-Jones. “To enhance the visitor experience and to make the High Street a pleasant environment for everybody.”

Despite recent problems with street drinking and antisocial behaviour in parts of the town centre at the end of last year and the early part of 2010, Mr Randle-Jones insisted the street wardens were not hired in response to problems, but had been planned for a year.

They cost £14,000 annually – but as more retailers join Town Centre Management, the number of hours the wardens are on patrol will increase.

Linda Mundle, of Reel Time arcade on the High Street, said: “They are absolutely brilliant.”

Sgt Billy Bulloch of the Poole town safer neighbourhood team said: “The lads that do it are excellent. We work really well with them.”

Poole Town Centre Management is set to seek quotations for the ongoing warden service.