COUNCIL bosses have turned to one of the country's best known mayors to learn new ways of dealing with anti-social behaviour on housing estates.

York City Council has been impressed by the way Mayor Ray Mallon, who was known as Robocop for his no-nonsense approach to crime as a Teesside police superintendent, has tackled problems such as illegal motor bike riding, abusive behaviour and drug-taking.

Leader of City of York Council, Councillor Stephen Galloway, said he hoped some of the strategies could be implemented on the city's estates .

He said: "Wherever there are large areas of social housing from the 50s, 60s and 70s there are similar problems.

"In those days, they thought it was a good idea to create footpaths so people could walk around the estates, but unfortunately they also make good escape routes for burglars and other criminals."

Coun Galloway was joined by deputy leader Councillor Andrew Walker and deputy chief executive Laura McGillivray on the fact-finding visit to Middlesbrough.

They were able get some ideas about tackling problems in areas including Tang Hall, Chapelfields and Foxwood by visiting an estate in the Pallister Park area of Middlesbrough.

The mayor explained his Raising Hope initiative designed to clean up the streets of Middlesbrough in terms of litter as well as crime, before the party from York met the town's street wardens and anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) enforcement team.

Mr Mallon said: "The partnership approach we have adopted in Middlesbrough is proving successful and can work in other parts of the country if the council, police and other agencies are prepared to work together.

"We are always prepared to share ideas with interested parties and it is to the credit of City of York Council that they have taken the trouble to try and seek solutions to the challenges affecting York and other towns and cities in the UK."

But despite the success of the mayor's tough stance on unruly behaviour, Mr Mallon has been criticised for concentrating on issues traditionally handled by police while cuts to services are expected because the social services department overspent by £2.3m last year.

Former deputy leader of Cleveland County Council, Councillor Bob Pitt, said: "It seems Middlesbrough Council are trying to be a miniature Cleveland Constabulary."