*The Safer Sandwell Partnership has a new, dedicated anti-social behaviour phone line - 0845 359 7500.

The non-emergency line is operated Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm, and Saturdays 8.30am-1.30pm. An answer phone records out-of-hours calls so that an adviser can return the call the next working day.

People can also report problems by emailing contact@sandwell.gov.uk

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

*The Safer Sandwell Partnership, which includes the police, Council, Sandwell Homes and numerous other organisations, received national recognition for its partnership approach to tackling anti-social behaviour when the borough was awarded Together Action Areas status by the Home Office last year. Now action is being stepped up further.

*Together, the borough's authorities are using new legal powers that have become available in recent years, such as anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs), dispersal orders and the designated public places order (DPPO), to tackle problems.

*Seventeen troublemakers were locked up between June 1, 2004 and June 1, 2005 for breaching anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued in Sandwell. (Nine ASBO breakers were sent to prison and eight were sent to a young offenders' insititute).

*Leafleting of certain areas where certain individuals are subject to ASBOs.

*In 2004, Sandwell became one of the first areas nationwide to implement a borough-wide DPPO which gives police power to restrict public drinking of alcohol where it is creating, or has the potential to create, a nuisance.

*10 dispersal orders are currently running across the borough.

*There have been a number of repossessions of properties occupied by 'nuisance neighbours' in recent months.

*Increased use of mobile security cameras and off-road bikes.

*Community street wardens scheme, including the development of a mobile service to target 'hot spots', and the increase in police community support officers (PCSOs).