UNIFORMED community wardens could be plodding the streets of Chesham if a joint scheme between Thames Valley Police and Chiltern District Council gets the green light.

The force and the council are looking at the idea of employing teams of civilians to patrol the streets reporting minor offences, vandalism and anti-social behaviour to the police.

The scheme, which has been in the pipeline for Chesham for some time, was given an added boost this week when Det Supt Donlon, new area commander for Chiltern Vale, lent his support for wardens who would be in radio contact with trained and full-time officers.

Insp Andy West of Amersham police said similar schemes in the north of England had proved a great success.

He said: "We are still in the very early stages of this but it would be another way of gathering intelligence on the street. It could work very well, I think."

It is not yet clear whether the wardens would be employed by Thames Valley Police or Chiltern District Council as talks are still going on.

Maggie Cannon, Chesham town manager, said she supported the scheme and said: "This is something we've all been talking about for a long time now. I'll definitely back it."