A NEW team ready to tackle under-age boozing, dog-fouling and graffiti is hitting the borough’s streets.

The 16-strong team of community safety patrol officers (CSPOs), is provided by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council.

They replace the borough council’s community wardens and the county council’s accredited community safety officers.

Their arrival puts an end to a three-year controversy. Protests and walk-outs from council meetings took place over plans to axe the jobs of 20 community wardens, funded by the borough, and replace them with a new set-up including patrols and community development work.

But last year, it was finally decided that the borough and county wardens would merge as part of the overhaul.

The new team aims to work with residents to reduce crime, deter anti-social behaviour and deal with environmental law-breaking.

The team, which do not have the power of arrest, will share information and have briefings with the police.

They have enforcement powers to tackle graffiti, littering and dog fouling or confiscate alcohol from under-age drinkers.

Councillor Clive Sanders, borough council Cabinet member for community safety, development and transport, said research showed people want to feel safe when inside and outside their homes.

He said: “High-visibility patrols have a huge impact on that.

“But, in the past, there has been a lot of confusion for residents about all the different patrols on the streets in Hampshire.

“That is why we consulted widely and introduced the new structure to use all our resources to create a seamless team where residents can be confident that, whoever they approach, they will be able to tackle their issues.”

Of the 16 CSPOs, 10 are designated to cover 11 areas – Eastrop, Brookvale, Buckskin, Brighton Hill, Norden, Popley East, Popley West and Rooksdown, South Ham, Tadley including Bishops Green, and Winklebury.

The rest will work across the rest of the borough to deal with anti-social behaviour problems as they happen.