IT was one of the most famous towns in America's notorious Wild West.

With its gunslingers and gamblers Dodge City was synonymous with lawlessness and disorder.

The saloons, dance halls, gambling houses and brothels, associated with the area are a world away from Hampshire's towns and villages - but not according to the county's police force.

In a remarkable comparison police chiefs in the New Forest have codenamed a crackdown on antisocial behaviour across Hythe and Dibden 'Operation Dodge City'.

The move has attracted criticism from politicians across the area, situated at the gateway to the New Forest.

"It is a bit flippant and sounds like the old Wild West, is it hoodies at dawn?" said Maureen McLean, district councillor for Hythe West and Langdown.

Cllr Maureen Robinson added: "I am very disappointed that the police service used something that I think is totally inappropriate for an operation in Hythe.

"It is certainly not a likeness that I recognise in the community that I live in."

However, police say it is the success of the operation that should be focused on - not the name. The crackdown saw officers join forces with the constabulary's Dog Support Unit to tackle underage drinking, drugs offences, nuisance and theft. The late night operation focused on Hythe village centre, the Claypits Lane, Sizer Way and Fern Hill areas of Dibden, and North Road in Dibden Purlieu.

Brian Dash, county councillor for Dibden and Hythe, praised the police: "Clearly the level of violence associated with Dodge City is not what we are talking about.

"It is melodramatic calling it that but if you listen to the number of complaints I have had, and still get, then in terms of nuisance it really has got beyond the pale.

"It is long overdue that there should be a crackdown.

New Forest East MP Julian Lewis added: "I am so delighted with what the police have done that they can call it anything they like within reason."

New Forest Divisional Commander, Superinten-dent Barry Talbot, said: "The name of this operation was purely incidental and has no reflection at all upon the area of police activity and the day in question.

"What should be focused on is the positive impact this operation has had on the community and we were responding directly to concerns from members of the public, which they would no doubt applaud us for."