New community environment wardens in Teignbridge, able to issue on-the-spot fines, have been getting a mixed response from residents.
A team of eight wardens are patrolling the district dealing with low-level offences such as fly-tipping, littering, graffiti and dog-fouling. They have the power to issue miscreants with fixed penalty notices of up to £75.
They can also confiscate alcohol from under-age drinkers or those drinking in a public place and ask offenders for their names and addresses.
Fixed penalty notices can also be issued by other frontline council staff and in the past two years more than 300 were issued for offences including dog-fouling, litter, misuse of bins, and fly-tipping.
A council spokesman said: 'The team fulfils an important community role, and deserves the same level of respect as that afforded to any other key frontline worker. Initial feedback suggests residents value their important community link role, and the difference their presence can make to general quality of life.'
But the new short arm of the law has been condemned as 'a waste of tax-payers money' by some residents who think the work should be carried out by police.
'It's just another way for the government getting money out of us,' complained Joy Kinsman, of Crediton, who was in Newton Abbot shopping.
Young mum Tabatha Reed, from Waltham Road, Newton Abbot, thought that given the shortage of police, patrolling wardens may have a restraining effect on people's behaviour.
Teignbridge Council says the wardens work closely with police to tackle antisocial behaviour and, it is hoped, reduce people's fear of crime.
In future their responsibilities may extend to include environmental nuisances such as bonfires and illegal signs.
Cllr Gordon Hook, Teignbridge executive spokesman for environmental services said: 'Residents and visitors will easily be able to recognise the wardens. They provide a uniformed presence in the district and deal with any issues in partnership with the police.'
The wardens replace teams dealing with community safety and environmental enforcement and have resulted in a £30,000 a year saving.
Childminder Tabatha Reed, of Newton Abbot, said:
'If one of my children dropped some litter and were fined it would not be fair. They should be given the chance to pick it up. You get some defiant older ones, in which case, fair enough.
'Having people around might make people think more about their behaviour – there are no police officers around. Something good might come of it but only if they can gain the respect of teenagers.'
Construction worker Nathan Stentiford, from Exeter:
'You should not be doing this stuff anyway – but they should be wearing a uniform. It'll be worse than traffic wardens won't it? Power seems to go their head, they don't compromise, you can't talk to them.'
Pensioner Michael Egerton, of Ipplepen:
'My view is that they should be working under the authority of the police. I would feel more inclined to accept what a policeman said than someone from the local council.'
Joy Kinsman,
of Crediton:
'I think it sucks because at the end of the day we are responsible for our own actions and we should be civilised not to need people like that. It's just another way for the government getting money out of us. Are they going to take people's age into account? Suppose an elderly person is walking their dog and can't suddenly bend down - it might be a one-off, or they've forgotten their bag. If the police can't deal with it how are they going to deal with it?'
Amanda Strevens, of Willhays Close, Kingsteignton
I do think it is a bad idea. It would be better to have more police around but they are not going to do that are they? You can stand here all day and will you see a policeman? It is a waste of time and waste of tax-payers money. Teenagers, although it's not just teenagers, go around and chuck down their beer cans - the police can't do anything with them now. They (the community environment wardens) have got no power, people will just ignore them.'