NEWPORT'S community safety wardens are set for new powers to issue on-the-spot fines, as part of a crackdown on nuisance crimes.

They will be able to take a tougher stance with people on such offences as littering, dog fouling and noise nuisance.

The city council heard yesterday that the wardens, who patrol the city until midnight dealing with residents' complaints, should receive accreditation from the police service by March 31.

This will mean they can hand out fixed penalty notices, and bring their powers up to the same level as the Police Community Safety Officers. They will be able to fine people £25 on the spot for littering and dog fouling (the amount is to rise to £75).

For noise nuisance, including noisy neighbours, cases would still have to go through the court with the penalty being a fine up to a maximum of £5,000.

Stephen Davison, head of public protection and environmental services, said: "They would be able to give fixed penalty notices for anti-social behaviour, but they can only be made if accredited and by accredited staff.

"We would be the first in Wales. It is more than a badge of quality for the service but the opportunity to get additional powers to deal with issues the public are concerned about."

Reporting to Newport council's overview and scrutiny forum on the performance of the city-wide community safety warden service, Mr Davison said customers liked the wardens and the service generally provided what the public wanted.

Last week, the Argus reported that the community safety wardens are to get a pay rise to help overcome a recruitment and retention crisis.

Mr Davison admitted to a retention problem and said much of it was as a result of people moving to other community safety type jobs for considerably better pay. From April the council plans to increase their pay band to £14,800 to £18,500, pending government approval of community safety guidelines.

Councillor Bob Poole, chairman of the overview and scrutiny forum for community safety, said: "The community safety wardens have been successful.

Residents do appreciate the service, use it and are thankful for it."