THE inaugural meeting of Newton Aycliffe Anti-Social Behaviour Action Group will be held at Horndale Club on Monday, at 7pm.

The meeting is open to the public.

The driving force behind the group is Councillor Dorothy Bowman, who was also responsible for setting up the Newton Aycliffe Junior Neighbourhood Watch and, with parents, the Happy Times Club.

Coun Bowman said the group had 15 aims, including making the streets safer at night, closing underpasses that serve as meeting places for drug users and under-age drinkers, and stopping bootleg alcohol and cigarettes being taken into the area.

The group also wants to make people aware of the need to safeguard against sneak thieves and the threat from bogus callers.

Members will seek to impose instant fines for litter louts and dog fouling, promote bylaws to stop drinking in the streets, and provide more help in dealing with anti-social neighbours and private landlords letting houses to bad tenants.

Other initiatives proposed include making it more difficult for illegal drugs to be obtained and to combat car crime; making parents accountable for damage caused by their children; to make sure courts give out appropriate punishments; to make people more aware of the activities of Neighbourhood Watch schemes; and to help people who are victims of domestic violence.

For more information about the group or how to become involved, contact Coun Bowman on (01325) 308094.