"WE will not tolerate speeding, drink-driving and antisocial behaviour."

That was the stark message from police as officers targeted a troubled Southampton estate last night.

More than 25 officers swept through the Flowers Estate in a major crackdown after residents complained about spiralling levels of antisocial behaviour and dangerous driving.

Stop-checks were set up on the three main routes into the estate, in Bassett, as part of the operation, while teams of officers from Portswood police station set out on foot and in cars to target known offenders.

Operation Order also saw motorists pulled over in Bassett Green Road, a notorious accident blackspot which runs along one side of the estate.

Vehicles were subjected to in-depth checks by teams led by officers from Totton roads policing unit to make sure they were roadworthy.

Operation Order was masterminded by PC Adam Scott.

He said: "The operation was put into place to combat a couple of things.

"The first was speeding, antisocial and dangerous driving, specifically along the roads surrounding the Flowers estate such as Bassett Green Road and Leaside Road.

"We carried out random stop checks to make sure the cars had no defects, and they were safe and road worthy.

"One of the main goals was road safety awareness, especially in the run up to Christmas.

"The latter part of the operation was in and around the Flowers Estate in roads such as Daisy Dip, Poppy Road and Carnation Road.

"We were enforcing the section 30 dispersal order which allows us to disperse groups of two or more people in certain roads, as well as chasing up youngsters with ASBOs and curfews.

"In the build up to Christmas we wanted to get the message across early that we will not tolerate speeding, we will not tolerate drink-driving and we will not tolerate antisocial behaviour."

One man was arrested for drink-driving as a result of the stop checks and taken to Southampton Central police station. Several others were given warnings.

Police then made their way into the estate in marked and unmarked cars.

Automatic number plate recognition technology was used to identify drivers wanted for other offences.

The operation was welcomed by residents.

One, who asked not to be named, said: "Speeding is a real problem around the estate. Youngsters drive up and down the streets like they are a rally track.

"It's so dangerous, and it'll only be a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed."

Another resident added: "If the police are on the estate it reminds youngsters they can't just go around doing whatever they like."

Police hailed the operation a success. PC Scott said: "Although there was only one arrest made, the message we are trying to get out there is to make people realise that we are building up a lot of intelligence about the area. We know faces and we know names.

"It may seem the police are not on the estate all the time but we are always behind the scenes, listening to what the community is telling us."