WORK on Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (Asbos) in Sunderland has been praised by a leading councillor.

Councillor Harry Trueman, Sunderland City Council's cabinet member for housing, said: "Together with Northumbria Police, we've established ourselves as one of the leading exponents of the recent legislation to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

"So much so that our success has been recognised by the Government awarding us Trailblazer status, one of only ten in the country."

Funds through Trailblazer will allow the council to work with the police, probation service and other agencies to tackle problems in the private rented sector.

They will also help establish a team to target known hotspots.

Coun Trueman said: "It is wrong that the thoughtless behaviour of a small number of anti-social families should blight the lives of whole communities.

"This is about reclaiming our neighbourhoods for the vast majority of decent, law- abiding people.

"These are early days. Only now are we putting together the Trailblazer team.

"That will mean greater resources being fed into enforcing Asbo's and suppporing people on the front line, like private landlords.

"That in turn will lead to greater impact and better quality of life for the vast majority of law abiding citizens."