A NEW breed of council "super-wardens" is about to wage war on litter louts, graffiti artists and anyone who drops their cigarette ends.

Three of the new wardens are being recruited by Bournemouth council - but parking attendants and other staff are also to be trained to deal with "enviro-crimes".

The new wardens will have the power to issue fixed penalty notices for offences such as dropping rubbish and cigarette ends and putting up graffiti.

A new offence of giving out flyers without a licence will also be introduced to stop leaflets being dumped on the streets.

Cllr David Smith told members of the safer and stronger communities overview panel that although the main role of the new civil enforcement officers would to enforce laws on litter, graffiti and abandoning vehicles, they would also be able to issue parking tickets.

In time, existing traffic wardens would also be trained to dish out tickets for the environmental offences, along with council officers whose work regularly takes them out and about and police community support officers.

"Over the years, people have got used to dropping litter," he said. "They just don't care. I've always felt one of the problems is there is no deterrent. I hope once we start to dish out tickets, people will get a bit more careful," said Cllr Smith, who is cabinet member for the community. "The idea is that the new civil enforcement officers will be able to work closely with people in the CCTV control room. We're getting a new radio system so should there be a major emergency, all the services will be able to communicate with one another."

Cllr Smith added that the reward for anyone who reports people while they are producing graffiti was being increased to £250. He urged witnesses of vandalism to ring 999.

no deterrent. I hope once we start to dish out tickets, people will get a bit more careful," said Cllr Smith, who is cabinet member for the community.

"The idea is that the new civil enforcement officers will be able to work closely with people in the CCTV control room. We're getting a new radio system so should there be a major emergency, all the services will be able to communicate with one another."

Cllr Smith added that the reward for anyone who reports people while they are producing graffiti was being increased to £250.

He urged witnesses of vandalism to ring 999.