A CRACKDOWN on anti-social behaviour was due to be launched by the Government this morning as they unveiled a range of new measures designed to tackle the growing problem.

A CRACKDOWN on anti-social behaviour was due to be launched by the Government this morning as they unveiled a range of new measures designed to tackle the growing problem.

Over 50 delegates from our region were expected to join representatives from communities across the country at the conference in London to hear the Government's latest plans.

New measures aimed at helping police forces and councils deal with a range of anti-social issues, such as noisy neighbours, vandalism, litter and graffiti, were due to be unveiled.

It is hoped the Government will also announce new finance packages so a number of projects aimed at combating the problem can go ahead.

A government spokesman said: "This really will be a major change to tackling issues locally – co-ordinating and empowering local agencies to take action, and equipping them with extra resources to help."

The crackdown comes on the same day that three Ipswich youths were due to appear in court on allegations of anti-social behaviour.

Jason Nicholls, 18, was due to appear in Bury St Edmunds crown court charged with theft and breach of his anti-social behaviour order, while a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old were also due to appear at Ipswich Magistrates court this morning charged with breach of ASBOs.

Suffolk's community leaders are urging the Government not to forget the problems of small towns and rural areas in their action-plan.

Halesworth Town Council vice-chairman, Alan Holzer, chaired a public meeting in August aimed at coping with anti-social behaviour in the town.

He said: "It was clear from the meeting that a lot of people in the town felt that their quality of life is being affected by anti-social behaviour of one kind or another."

"In the past we have seen the Government announcing new projects in the inner city areas where the problem of anti-social behaviour is more obvious.

"But in small towns, such as Halesworth and Aldeburgh, the problem affects the quality of life of residents and needs addressing.

"It will be a great pity if small towns and rural areas miss out on the backing they deserve."

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