POLICE are winning the battle against loutish behaviour on the streets of Worcester, new figures revealed today.

Last month, officers recorded 786 public disorder incidents - which include anti-social crimes such as drunkenness and vandalism.

This was a large reduction on August - when 1,362 offences were reported to police.

It also compares well with September 2001, when the figures were recorded at 1,111 incidents - a year-on-year fall of 29 per cent.

City MP Mike Foster, who has been urging police to step up the fight against loutish behaviour, today welcomed the news.

I'm delighted to see public disorder levels falling within Worcester," said Mr Foster.

"This has been a consistent trend over the past six months, compared to last year. It suggests that the extra police officers visible on our streets is making a difference."

Congratulated

"There is no way that I am complacent about these new figures.

"Despite the recent falls, they are still too high.

"But the news of the reduced level of public disorder is to be welcomed.

The police, and other agencies, should be congratulated on this achievement.

"Record numbers of police in Worcester, with still more to come on stream, and innovative ways of policing are making our streets safer."

The Government has made anti-social behaviour on Britain's streets a key priority for the current Parliament.

Earlier this month, the Home Office announced that the Government's street crime initiative has led to a 16 per cent fall in crime in the 10 pilot areas.