THE Hardwick estate in Teesside, appears to be experiencing a downturn in anti- social behaviour.

According to Councillor Bill Noble, who has lived on the Stockton estate for 35 years, the lull has coincided with the introduction of anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos).

With orders taken out against three youths in the area, most residents will be keeping a keen interest in how effective they are.

Coun Noble said: "It definitely needed something doing because it (anti-social behaviour) is a disease which is spreading throughout the country.

"Since the orders have been imposed it has definitely brought a lull. I'm hoping that's going to continue and it's not going to turn into a calm before the storm."

Inspector Ian Grunwell, from the community safety department at Hartlepool Police believes the orders do work - but need to be used economically.

"I think the way the Government told it, they were quite easy to obtain, but you have to consider the evidence the courts are wanting to see, and that the defence solicitors are defending the file themselves. They're not quick and simple," he said.

"We've got two out against two brothers in Hartlepool. It was horrendous the amount of evidence we had to put forward.

"But we do have a multi-agency forum that meets on a monthly basis to look at them."

The police work jointly with staff at local councils to pursue orders and they can take months to prepare.

At Stockton Borough Council, there is also a programme to teach parents how to control and support their unruly children.

Mike Batty, council head of community safety, said: "They are a useful extra tool, and if you use them in select cases, they can be quite effective."

Wear Valley and Teesdale district councils have yet to take out Asbos, but they have set up a multi-agency group to form the protocol for dealing with them, along with preventative measures.

Elaine Baker, community safety coordinator for the councils, said: "Certainly we do have cases which would warrant an Asbo and we are pulling information together on these cases.

"But they are not something you can embark on lightly."

Inspector Grunwell believes the orders offer the police a "useful tool" and they send out strong messages to others.

He said: "It's the members of the public who are the key in issuing them. Collectively, anti-social behaviour is everyone's problem."