READERS may recall that York's Liberal Democrat councillors conducted a survey of residents' opinions on crime-related issues across York during the summer. The Evening Press kindly reported the outcome (November 7).

York is not a high-crime community, but such is the concern in certain areas of the city about police visibility and response times that we received a substantial, positive response to our proposals for the introduction of uniformed Neighbourhood Wardens to contribute to policing and actively discourage anti-social behaviour.

On June 25, the Evening Press gave substantial coverage on this particular proposal, which became a formal Liberal Democrat motion to the City of York Council, calling for action to introduce such a scheme.

The Press subsequently proclaimed "we can look forward to wardens on the watch" (September 18), after York's Labour executive finally agreed to take up the proposal by seeking Government funding for a warden scheme. Unfortunately, on October 26, the Government announced it had refused to fund York's proposals.

So, despite the support of York residents and the the Press, it turns out the Labour Government will not fund the crime-beating Neighbourhood Warden proposal for the city.

One hundred and twenty-three other towns and cities across the country will get funding. Strange that, while York's Labour leadership was happy to issue a press release proclaiming the bid for funding in September, they have chosen not to publicise the Labour Government's subsequent refusal.

The Liberal Democrat Group will continue to press for intelligent, co-ordinated council action to introduce Neighbourhood Wardens around the city where appropriate.

Coun Nick Blitz,

Ogleforth, York.

Updated: 12:27 Wednesday, November 28, 2001