HELP is today just a phone call away for Ipswich residents plagued by incidents of antisocial behaviour.A new telephone number is now up and running for people to report their concerns and troubles.

HELP is today just a phone call away for Ipswich residents plagued by incidents of antisocial behaviour.

A new telephone number is now up and running for people to report their concerns and troubles.

It has been launched by the town's crime and disorder reduction partnership with the aim of making people feel safer.

The pilot scheme is part of a drive to yield a 20 per cent reduction in the number of reports of antisocial behaviour in the town over the next two years.

Andy Solomon, who is managing the project, hopes the multi-lingual telephone service will help achieve this goal.

He said: "It's a new initiative which is designed to give people an opportunity to report incidents of what they perceive to be antisocial behaviour.

"This is especially so if they don't know who to turn to or feel the matter is not serious enough to involve the police or another statutory agency.

"Upon receipt of information, we'll refer it to the agency best suited to deal with the problem. We'll then look to find an early resolution to make people's lives better."

The project is a joint venture by various organisations, including Suffolk Constabulary, Ipswich borough and Suffolk county councils.

Mr Solomon, who is based at Ipswich police station, said: "As we work with a number of different agencies, we feel we can provide help and support to those people who are suffering the problems as well as dealing positively with those causing the problem.

"It goes without saying that if you're witnessing a criminal act, you should dial 999. This number is for more minor incidents."

The venture hopes to find the most satisfactory solution to any problems presented for all concerned.

Mr Solomon added: "We can't promise to solve everybody's problem overnight and it must always be remembered that what one person feels to be antisocial behaviour may not reflect another person's views. Therefore we'll look to find some middle ground where there's conflict."

A link up with more than 40 Co-op stores in the town has already proved to be a success where people are able to fill in a form detailing their antisocial behaviour concerns and drop it off while doing their shopping.

N The telephone number, where messages can be left, is 0800 1386570.

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