Residents in rural Hailsham have hired security wardens in a bid to tackle the growing crime problem behind its tranquil image.

Vandalism, rowdy behaviour, shoplifting, drink and drugs increasingly blight the lives of residents.

Frustrated at being victims, residents have taken the initiative by hiring two private security wardens.

The pair will act as the eyes and the ears of police, passing on information they gather during their patrols.

Residents voted in favour of funding the wages of the wardens who took to the streets for the first time on Thursday.

Hailsham's 8,500 council taxpayers will pay £7 a year each through their council tax.

The wardens work for Global Security Management (GSM) Ltd, a Rustington-based company already supplies wardens to Arun District Council.

They will work a variety of shifts, offering cover seven days a week, every day except Christmas Day.

They will target areas of Hailsham which have been blighted by antisocial behaviour.

Town council clerk Liz Jones said hiring private security wardens was first suggested last year.

A ballot showed 63 per cent of people were willing to pay to feel more secure in their homes.

Mrs Jones said: "We wanted to conquer the antisocial behaviour all towns suffer from and to reduce the fear of crime.

"We held public meetings last year and then wrote to all 8,500 council taxpayers to ask them what they wanted to do."

It was decided to hire a private security firm and GSM won the contract.

The wardens do not have police powers. Instead, they will patrol streets, reporting crime to senior police chiefs.

Mrs Jones said: "The wardens will only have the same powers as ordinary citizens.

"But they will be able to make witness statements for police, which will be useful as the public are often reluctant to do so."

GSM's managing director Terri Pearson said: "We aim to promote a safer community for all."

The appointment marks a two-pronged attack on crime with Bob Brown having been made the new inspector for south Wealden, based at Hailsham.

He takes up his role with the promise to curb vandalism, antisocial behaviour and other problems, which are affecting people's quality of life in the town.

He said: "There are some concerns regarding the amount of antisocial behaviour and acts of vandalism that are occurring.

"I will be working with my team to identify those responsible and then take action against the offenders."

He said more was being done to conquer crime, with new neighbourhood support officers taken on and Hailsham police station staying open 24 hours a day.