IN the run-up to the general election, anti-social behaviour was the number one issue on the doorstep. There was widespread unease that the old values of respect were becoming less widely held.

Within days, Tony Blair announced that his most pressing post-election priority would be finding new ways to restore Britain's respect for others, their property and privacy.

He promised that from now on, anti-social behaviour would be tackled not tolerated, by putting the responsible majority back in charge of their communities.

To do this, the police and local authorities were given a host of new powers. To date there have been more than 6,500 anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos), 800 dispersal orders and 13,000 acceptable behaviour contracts handed down by the courts.

A Home Office poll published today shows that young people in the North-East are just as unhappy about anti-social behaviour as their parents and grand-parents. The majority think it gives all teenagers a bad name.

In fact, our young children have real reason to be proud: nearly half of them take part in some form of volunteer work at least once a month - more than any other age group.

Sadly many young people still feel their needs are being ignored. This is particularly true among disadvantaged youngsters. Participation in sport is 25 per cent lower among 16-19 year olds in the lowest socio-economic groups than the highest.

That's why we felt it was so important that at least some of the money made from the redevelopment of Darlington's old Feethams football ground was put back into a grass roots community sports facility.

Nationally, central government has pledged to do its bit by giving a commitment to ensure all youngsters have access to interesting and exciting activities in their area.

We welcome this but if ministers are really serious, our young people need more investment in activities that offer a viable alternative to hanging about on street corners.