MORE than 500 people called a new hotline to crack down on Newport's anti-social yobs within three weeks of it being set up.

The It's Your Call hotline was set up on September 13 - launched in the city by the Home Office 'ASBO tzar' Louise Casey in a drive to make it easier for residents to report nuisance neighbours, vandals and gangs of unruly youths.

So far more than 500 callers have phoned to report anti-social behaviour.

The calls are forwarded to the council's community safety wardens.

Councillor Ray Truman, cabinet member for community safety and sustainable development, said: "It is very encouraging that people are using the phone line and we are toughening up our act.

"In 80% of calls for things like loud music and dogs barking the wardens can resolve things straight away."

He said "hard-core" offenders could ultimately be dealt with by the imposition of anti-social behaviour orders.

Calls about criminal acts are reported to the police immediately.

Senior community safety warden Gerry Nash urged people to phone It's Your Call if their lives were being made a misery.

He said: "Anti-social behaviour is huge. If you ask people, anti-social behaviour is their greatest fear and it affects us all at some stage or another.

"People shouldn't have to live in fear. So don't suffer in silence - we are there at the end of the phone.

"We can't be everywhere at once so it's important people do call us because we do care."

But, he added: "We are definitely on top of anti-social behaviour and know all the hotspots.

"The biggest problem we have is the prevalent binge drinking amongst youngsters which we work very closely with the police over."

Councillor Truman said: "There are certain anti-social behaviour hotspots all over the city, even in areas you wouldn't normally associate with them."

The It's Your Call scheme in Newport is in one of 47 anti-social behaviour action zones around the UK.

Residents can report anti-social behaviour in complete confidence by telephoning It's Your Call 01633 222944.