A HOTLINE for people to report anti-social behaviour is being launched in Swindon next month.

The town is one of just 25 areas in the whole country to be covered by the new hotline.

Residents are being urged to use the hotline to shop nuisance neighbours and advise police and councils of vandalism and abandoned cars blighting the area.

But it is as yet unclear whether the new number will take over from one already operated by Swindon Council's crime and disorder team or whether they will run side by side.

Home Office minister Hazel Blears announced the initiative It's Your Call yesterday as part of the Government's bid to crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

Ms Blears said the police and local authorities needed the help of communities to tackle graffiti, vandalism, abandoned cars and other yobbish activities.

"We've made significant progress in tackling anti-social behaviour and reclaiming our communities for the law-abiding majority," she said.

"But there's still more to do. We need the public to play their part too and take some responsibility for where they live.

"Engaging local people is vital to create strong communities and tackle the thugs who can destroy people's quality of life and ruin neighbourhoods."

No one from Swindon Council was available to comment on how the new line would affect the hotline set up by the authority in August 2003.

The line received more than 150 calls in its first three months of operation.

All the areas to be covered by the new hotlines, which will also include Bristol and Oxford, have made a commitment to stepping up their response to anti-social behaviour.

But Les White, chairman of Rodbourne Cheney Residents' Association who battles against anti-social behaviour in the area, told the Adver that hotlines were not the way to tackle anti-social behaviour.

"They are a waste of time," he said.

"It doesn't matter how many phone calls or hotlines you have got, these things need to be addressed now.

"I would prefer any money to be spent on CCTV."

The new hotline will go live in Swindon on February 28.

Posters are to be displayed around the town and leaflets posted through doors advertising the action line number, 0845 6052222.

Callers will be asked to provide their postcode so that their call can be forwarded to a local service.

Feedback cards will then be posted to homes in the neighbourhood explaining what action has been taken, after the complaints have been dealt with.

The existing council hotline is available on 01793 466738.

Isabel Field