COUNCILS in the region are claiming success in a pioneering scheme to crack down on yobbish behaviour through a telephone hotline.

The Home Office launched the scheme - called It's Your Call - last month in five areas across the North-East.

The hotline number - 0845 605 2222 - is designed to help people who want to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour, but don't know who to report incidents to.

So far, the five participating councils between them have received about 200 calls to the hotline number.

Newcastle has received the highest number of calls to date with about 80 incidents reported since the phone line was launched in the city three weeks ago.

Most of the calls have been complaints about fly-tipping, graffiti and excess noise.

Of the four other councils taking part in the scheme, South Tyneside Council reported 40 calls; Gateshead Council received 48; and Sunderland City Council took 25.

Middlesbrough Council, where the hotline number began operating two weeks ago, said it had received only a handful of calls.

Councillor Tony Rounthwaite, chairman of the Newcastle Community Safety Partnership at Newcastle City Council, said the scheme was allowing the council to "step up another gear" in the fight against anti-social behaviour".

Coun Routhwaite said: "It is vital we involve the public in our actions. The Its Your Call action line allows this to happen, but we need local people to come forward and make that call. It is their lives that are affected by anti-social behaviour and this phone line means they can help make a difference."

Calls to the hotline are directed to the councils' enforcement teams, which take action to fight anti-social behaviour.

Feedback cards that explain what action has been taken on specific issues are delivered to homes in affected areas.

In Middlesbrough, council officials said a leafleting campaign was about to be launched to raise awareness of the service among the public.

A Home Office spokesman said the response in the North-East was excellent.

The spokesman said: "It suggests residents want to play their part in tackling anti-social behaviour and local authorities are committed to responding to reports of yobbish behaviour."

The service will shortly be extended to 20 other areas in the UK.