A REDUCTION in anti-social behaviour was achieved in a Gwent council area - with few anti-social behaviour orders being handed out.

Figures released by the Safer Caerphilly County Borough Partnership for June 2004 to August 2005 show that 1,125 first referrals were given for anti-social behaviour, 219 second referrals and 52 Acceptable Behaviour Contracts.

This led to only 13 full ASBOs being handed out. The partnership say it proves high numbers of ASBOs are not necessarily the only way to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Chief Superintendent Alun Thomas, who has just taken over as commander of Gwent Police's C division, said: "This is about effective, early intervention, with the partnership working together to prevent problems escalating.

"The key indicator of success is the 5% fall in anti-social crime we have already seen in the Caerphilly county borough area this year. The ASBO process is one of the tools that has helped us achieve this."

New dispersal orders allowing Blackwood police to break up groups of people causing nuisance have helped to curb the problem of boy racers in the town over the last three months.

Councillor Paul Ford, chairman of the partnership and Caerphilly council's cabinet member for environment and housing services, said: "The reparation and prevention work that goes on is vital and in most cases successful.

"Those who receive a first referral in many cases modify their behaviour and do not come to the attention of the partnership again, hence the drop in figures by 906 by the time second referrals are made."

Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge told the Argus, however, that in the last 12 months he has had more residents contacting him about anti-social behaviour than in the previous five years.

"I haven't seen any tail off in residents' contacting me about anti-social behaviour," he said.

l Safer Caerphilly County Borough Partnership has produced a leaflet about anti-social behaviour. To obtain it telephone 01443 864370 or email kinchr@caerphilly.gov.uk. To find out more about community safety in general contact the partnership on 01443 864374.