Local wardens have dealt with more than 55,000 incidents of low-level crime and anti-social behaviour
Chichester's Community Wardens are set to receive £133,000 after a local cabinet member revealed fears over crime in the area.
The funding was approved in a meeting yesterday and will cover half the service's cost following concerns from councillor Roy Briscoe, who aired worries that without wardens local areas "will be further exposed to crime and anti-social behaviour".
Briscoe continued, "Vulnerable individuals may not be identified and opportunities to refer them for support missed. Demand on other [council] services could increase resulting in additional financial costs to ourselves."
The rest of the costs will be covered by the town and parish councils in a move described as "far more fair and transparent".
Local MP Simon Oakley argued that putting money towards "directly supporting communities in dealing with antisocial behaviour and other social issues" should take priority over funding "cultural activities."
He concluded, "I think we are prioritising the wrong things here."
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