“Deployment of extra Neighbourhood Police Officers and the council’s mobile wardens will support our partnership activity to tackle anti-social behaviour and provide a much more visible response to enhance public safety.”

The Anti-Social Behaviour Team was launched at the end of April with the remit to focus on community hotspots in the city in an effort to reduce anti-social behaviour, make Dundee safer and improve residents’ quality of life.

Consisting of a supervisor and three constables, the team has focused on the main anti-social issues affecting areas in Dundee including youths buying alcohol from licensed premises, youths causing annoyance during the evening and at school dinner times, vandalism, littering, use of motorised scooters, miniature and standard motorbikes, as well as noise nuisance.

Acting Sergeant David Blackhouse said, “There is no doubt the team is making a difference. This is not only the feedback from officers on the beat, but also from local people who have seen the team at work.

“I was approached by members of the public whilst on duty in Macalpine Road and they commented on the marked difference in the attitude of local youths over lunch times and how much cleaner the area was since the team was launched.

“Indeed, we received many favourable comments from the community who see this as a very worthwhile initiative.”

He added, “During our first week, we were tasked with addressing daytime youth problems in specific areas of Dundee. We visited shopkeepers and local businesses to make them aware of the team and its intentions.

“An example of work undertaken would be when we were told about a youngster causing annoyance to an Asian shopkeeper. Evidence was gathered and we worked closely with the local school to identify the youth and charge him for a racist incident.”

In week two, the team deployed to disrupt the activities of youths causing annoyance, often under the influence of alcohol. Officers stopped and searched a large number of youths and noted names. Any alcohol found was confiscated.

Local businesses were visited and told about the ASB team and licensed premises were reminded about responsibilities in relation to selling alcohol to under-18s.

Employing tactics under the terms of Anti Social Behaviour legislation, officers identified where youths were congregating in large numbers, noted their details and took them to the local police station, where their parents were contacted and asked to collect them.

Parents, too, were provided with information about Anti-Social Behaviour legislation and about the team and its purpose.Police officers asked that parents be aware of where their children were and what they were doing.

The majority responded in a positive way and said they were unaware of what their children had been up to.

The team has established a pattern of working that is achieving notable results. In addition to the recovery of alcohol, several licensees and other adults have been charged with selling alcohol to under-18s.

A number of prolific criminals have been arrested, the activities of youths causing annoyance have been disrupted, mini-motorcycles (including a stolen vehicle) have been seized and youths cautioned and charged for their illegal use. Fixed penalty notices have also been issued for anti-social behaviour.

The ASB team receives significant assistance from Dundee City Council, the Dundee Partnership and the Scottish Executive, who provide funding via the Dundee Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy and Outcome Agreements for three police officers until 2008 through the revenue support grant.