THE number of anti-social behaviour incidents committed in Wyre Forest and across West Mercia Constabulary's force area fell in 2007/2008.

Police say figures compiled for the force's annual crime statistics report show that the number of anti-social behaviour incidents has fallen from 97,795 in 2006/07 to 88,755 in 2007/08, a reduction of almost 10 per cent.

Chief inspector Sharon Gibbons, from West Mercia's local policing support team, said: "West Mercia Constabulary takes anti-social behaviour very seriously.

" It's a problem that, if left unchallenged, can cause residents untold unhappiness on a daily basis.

"Since they were introduced in 2006, the 145 local policing teams across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcester have worked hard with the local communities they serve and with other partner organisations to eradicate the anti-social issues that effect people's every day lives.

She explained: "Local policing teams were created so that the communities across the force area had a team of police officers and community support officers who were responsible for local policing issues and dedicated to sorting them out.

"We want people to report these incidents to us so we can work with local communities and our partner agencies to solve them."

She added: "It is important to remember that not all anti-social behaviour incidents are committed by young people; and it's the incidents involving older members of the community which can be more difficult to resolve.

"By working with local communities and partner agencies we have worked hard to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour using a number of solutions.

"In some areas we have all worked together to organise free sports events, or have created football teams and tag rugby teams to give people in the community an activity to take part in.

"Other local policing teams have taken steps to pre-empt anti-social behaviour by creating Youth PACTS, which enable young people to raise issues that are important to them and in turn provide ideas about the services and facilities that would improve life for them.

"Officers have also been invited to visit schools during hysical health and social education and citizenship lessons to talk to pupils about local policing and the PACT process in order to promote tolerance and understanding between officers and young people.

"These initiatives have been well-received and contribute to the low levels of anti-social behaviour across the force area.

"West Mercia Constabulary will continue to tackle anti-social behaviour and anyone who continuously behaves in anti-social manner will be dealt with robustly.

"To tackle on-going incidents officers will conduct targeted patrols to deter the offender or offenders from causing problems for the community. Officers can also use powers, such as Section 30 orders, to deal with persistent offenders.

"While the force is pleased that levels of anti-social behaviour have fallen, we are not going to become complacent.

"We will continue to work with local communities, district councils, youth services and local businesses to ensure that anti-social behaviour is reduced even more."