Abingdon's Neighbourhood Warden scheme has won a votes of confidence from the Government, police and the public and is to be extended for another ten months.

Such has been the success of the two wardens -- retired policemen Dave Coats and Dick Baker -- that the crime rate and calls to police in south Abingdon have dropped.

Figures for the 12 months ending March this year, show house burglaries were down 56 per cent, vehicle thefts down 43 per cent and thefts from vehicles fell by ten per cent.

Figures for the same period show a 20 per cent increase in reported incidents of violence against people in south Abingdon, although the increase has been attributed to new methods of record-keeping under which every reported incident is logged.

The scheme was due to end this month, but the Government and the district council have each given an extra £32,000 to keep it running until next spring.

The council wants to continue the scheme after that.

But with Government aid expected to dry up it will have to seek alternative financial support.

One likely source is the Vale Housing Association, which has many homes in south Abingdon.

Bill Jones, The Vale of White Horse District Council's community safety officer, said: "Government and council support is a vote of confidence. People tell us that the wardens are now part of the community and residents feel safer."

Ch Insp David Purnell, of Abingdon police, said: "The wardens are proving to be a most valuable asset to us and the community of south Abingdon.

"They provide us with extra information about activities."