Residents in Bristol are being asked to help their local community by volunteering to become street reps. Local police are asking them to keep an eye on anti-social behaviour, fly tipping, litter and vandalism.

Residents in the Southville and Bedminster areas of Bristol are being asked to help. Inspector Caroline Bullen said "Street reps will act as the extended eyes and ears of the agencies such as the police and Safer Bristol."

"By volunteering to be a rep it helps us to deal with any problems in the community even more swiftly and efficiently. This scheme recognises that the public are one of our most invaluable resources in helping us to tackle crime and disorder at a local level."

Issues that street reps will look out for issues in their community that include:

• anti-social behaviour 
•  fly tipping
• sex and drugs litter
• reporting damaged council owned property / street furniture

Street reps will not be expected to get involved in dealing with the problems themselves. They will be given special dedicated high priority telephone numbers which enable them to quickly contact the appropriate agencies who will then get them sorted out swiftly.

Ben Barker from the Greater Bedminster Community Partnership, who is coordinating the scheme said, "Anyone living in greater Bedminster who wants to make a difference might be interested in taking part but it would definitely suit people who are available in the daytime possibly mothers with young children the elderly and teenagers."

The scheme is being launched in three local primary schools from 3pm. Anyone can attend these sessions if they are interested in becoming a street rep.The street rep scheme is a multi agency initiative being run by the Greater Bedminster Community Partnership in conjunction with the Police, Street Scene (Bristol City Council) and a number of voluntary groups in the area.