TONY Blair once famously described the key to building the nation's future as "education, education, education." Well, in my opinion, the only way to protect that future is "intervention, intervention, intervention."

We are winning the war on crime in Middlesbrough. House burglaries, auto-crime and thefts have all been drastically cut. But, as with the rest of the country, what we must pay more attention to is anti-social behaviour. The cancer that reduces town centres into no-go areas and turns law-abiding citizens into prisoners in their own homes.

Over the next two years, taxpayers will spend £20m building a flagship art gallery and civic square in the centre of Middlesbrough. A further £30m has also been found for another major development in the town, involving new housing, roads and a medical village. My initial reaction on hearing the news was that the "hoodlums" must not be allowed to spoil it. That may not be politically correct, but it was heartfelt and, I suspect, in tune with the average taxpayer.

Wherever I go in the North-East and, indeed, throughout Britain, anti-social behaviour is identified as a major problem. Don't fall into the trap of thinking it is linked to deprivation and poverty. Anti-social behaviour occurs in nice areas as well. The perpetrators are as likely to have connections with the professional classes as the working class or unemployed. Alcohol is more likely a factor than drugs, but often it comes down to a simple lack of respect for people and communities.

Unfortunately, for all the hot air expounded on the subject, I've seen precious little evidence of anyone actually grasping the nettle and doing something to improve matters. Worse still, there are now actually police officers who feel they cannot do anything. I despair when I hear of officers just ignoring people who are acting suspiciously or in a loutish manner.

It's time to declare war on the yob, the lout, the thug and the bully, so next week I will be meeting with the Chief Constable, Assistant Chief Constable, Public Protection chief and other key figures to plan our strategy. I want to see police officers and wardens stepping in and confronting anti-social behaviour wherever and whenever it occurs. If police officers stepped in every time some drunk or yob hurled abuse or foul language in the street, or asked questions of a gang of youths acting suspiciously, the message would soon get across town.

It all comes down to will. In Ireland, a prominent politician has just been sacked after flouting the new anti-smoking laws and lighting up in the Parliamentary bar. If they can take as severe a step as that to combat smoking, there is no reason why we cannot show similar determination to stamp out anti-social behaviour.

Imagine 300 officers stepping in three times a week - what a difference 900 interventions would make. If police officers have a problem with that, I suggest they find another job. The police are there to protect and serve - not to turn a blind eye. Of course, the vast majority of officers will happily get stuck in, it's why they joined up. But they need some inspiration, some leadership and encouragement .

I have no doubt that people will be stunned at the transformation of Middlesbrough when the art gallery and civic square open in 2006. I want it to look the same a year, five years and a decade later on - not reduced to a vandals' playground, defaced by graffiti and taken over by yobs, drunks and beggars. To ensure we protect our future, we have to start laying down the law now.