An initiative is being launched by the Liverpool Echo to clamp down on yobs in the city.

The Echo is joining forces with the Merseyside police to launch Reclaim our Neighbourhood, in a bid to bring an end to anti-social behaviour.

The scheme encourages readers to report details of incidents to a dedicated new hotline. They can leave detailed messages on the telephone system for the information to be passed on to Merseyside police.

The campaign is being backed personally by Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe, who has set up a team to deal with the calls received.

The rising number of high ASBO cases and increasing violence in the area has prompted the Echo and the police to take action.

The paper is calling for the people of Merseyside to stand up and be counted in order to make the scheme work.

It wants residents to report specific details about anti-social behavior in their area. And it is calling for people to name the culprits and if possible provide addresses as well as details of the incidents, times and dates. This may involve making statements and appearing in court, but Merseyside police promised protection and support.

The Echo hopes that its reach across the area will mean that it can highlight the issues local people are facing and that the resources of the police will be used to act against troublemakers.

Back to the campaigns index