A SECURITY firm in York which has become the first private sector training provider to offer a tailor-made course for neighbourhood wardens is being bombarded with requests by local authorities nationally.

Britsafe Security in Amy Johnson Way, Clifton Moor, has designed the course with the help of a retired North Yorkshire Police community safety officer.

It is in response to the latest £7.5 million of Government funding for organisations like local authorities and housing associations to reduce crime and the fear of crime by providing uniformed neighbourhood patrollers. Already 30 schemes are in operation throughout the country with 50 more due to become operational.

While the wardens do have their own uniform, they do not have full police powers. However, they are expected to fulfil many of the aspects of the old, traditional "bobby on the beat" by forming relationships with young and old people on estates, blowing the whistle on anti-social behaviour, and advising on crime prevention and fire hazard.

Eight neighbourhood warden recruits from South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council were today continuing their nine-day course which ends on Thursday. And Walsall and Birmingham Councils are planning to prepare their would-be wardens at Clifton Moor so that they "hit the ground running from day one."

Course designer, Steve Walker, the former North Yorkshire police community safety officer and nationally qualified police trainer, said: "We teach them how to gather evidence on antisocial behaviour to pass on to the police - evidence of vandalism, noisy neighbours, bullying and the like.

"They only have civilian powers but we teach them how to protect themselves and to defuse violence. They learn drugs awareness and we give them observational skills."

They are also taught how to liaise with other social workers such as youth officers and the police over persistent youth offenders. They are helped with communications skills and important aspects of the law, including human rights legislation.

And they are taught advice on home protection, first-aid skills and, if necessary, the ability to prevent and fight fires - as a demonstration by York firefighter Carl Boasman with a simulated conflagration in the Britsafe car park bore witness.

Mr Walker said he was astonished at the level of interest in the course and was particularly pleased that the wide-ranging course had now won approval from the security industry.

David Fletcher, chief executive of the British Security Industry Association of which Britsafe is a member, said: "Britsafe should be commended for showing a great deal of foresight in developing this unique course and working with the neighbourhood warden scheme to fashion a programme that meets their particular needs."