Shop the yobs

Swindon Council has now launched a new telephone hotline that it hopes will help to nab the culprits behind the rising tide of anti-social behaviour in the town.

The authority's Crime and Disorder Team wants the names and addresses of troublemakers who are terrorising neighbourhoods.

Residents who can help catch the offenders should call the Anti-Social Behaviour Hotline on Swindon 466738.

The line is open 24 hours a day, and all calls will be treated in confidence.

Working with the police, the team will probe all allegations, but will take action only if there is evidence to support claims.

In the most serious cases, the council will apply for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) against offenders. In the less serious, Acceptable Behaviour Contracts will be sought, where youngsters agree to behave.

The team can also liaise with youth workers to get problem youngsters to change their behaviour by taking part in recreation activities.

As a starting point, a warning letter will be sent to the youngster's parents.

Cheri Wright, 25, the team's anti-social behaviour co-ordinator, said: "Often people in the community know who the offenders are, and we want them to tell us. If the behaviour is serious and persistent we will look to applying for ASBOs.

"But that is a last resort, and we will try to use other measures first. On a more general level, we want to know about any incidents of behaviour which people find intimating.

"It could be youths kicking footballs against people's homes, throwing stones at properties or emptying rubbish bins.

"It could also be verbal abuse or youths riding motorcycles on pavements or in parks.

"Anti-social behaviour can have a serious impact on people's quality of life and be very distressing. But people need to realise that they don't have to put up with it," she said.

Callers should leave their name and contact details on the line, along with a full description of the problem.

In more serious incidents, members of the team will visit callers at home. In other cases, callers will be sent a log book to record problems over a two-week period.

The council is stressing criminal activity should still be reported to the police.

Evidence against offenders will be gathered by two new anti-social behaviour investigation officers, Kay Giblett, 37, and Ian Napier, 49.

Introduced in 1999, the order can ban troublemakers from an area or stop them from harassing named individuals.

They can also include an order for a curfew. Two have been taken out so far in Wiltshire, both in the Swindon area. The most recent was granted against Liam Walsh, 13, of Corsham Road, Penhill.

Swindon has five more in the pipeline. Vandalism and anti-social behaviour has increased in the area in the past six months.

Incidents include vandal attacks at the Pinehurst Community Centre in Beech Avenue, youths scaring readers away from Penhill Library and vandalism in play areas in Haydon Wick.

Victims of such behaviour welcomed the hotline. Earlier this year, vandals targeted Val Hearn, 68, of Derwent Drive, Upper Stratton.

The problems came to a head when a paint canister was hurled at her front door, smashing a glass panel.

She said: "It was horrendous. I think the hotline is a good idea.

"I'm glad it is confidential because people are often too scared to report offenders."

Vandals have caused £2,000 damages to Michael Uzzell's car in three attacks in the last 18 months. Mr Uzzell, 50, of Fur-long Close, Haydon Wick, said: "The hotline is definitely needed, we need to stop these problems now."