Welcomes initiative. . . Coun Brian FordSWINDON Council could soon have access to it own anti-yob czar. The crime-buster would work with the authority to drive up the number of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders imposed on trouble-makers.

Around 11 orders are currently in place across the borough, tackling problems varying from teenage tearaways to prostitutes.

But Home Secretary David Blunkett insists more are needed.

Bill Pitt, of the Home Office's anti-social behaviour unit and one of the new ambassadors, said legislation was not being fully exploited.

He told BBC Five Live's Breakfast programme

"Anti-Social Behaviour Orders are about the community.

"They give them hope and bring back aspirations for reasonable standards of behaviour.

"They establish the line that must not be crossed, and set down things that the perpetrator cannot do, the harm they cannot repeat and it puts the community back in the driving seat."

Experts would visit local authorities to encourage officials to make better use of powers available to tackle anti-social behaviour.

The orders can ban trouble-makers from specified areas, stop them congregating with named individuals and can also include a curfew.

Coun Brian Ford (Con, Wroughton and Chiseldon), Swindon Council's lead member for community safety, welcomed the new plans.

He said: "I welcome anything that reduces anti-social be-haviour.

"But I would add that we have a very experienced anti-social behaviour officer in charge at Swindon.

"I think Cheri Wright is one of the leading officers in her field in the South West."