CONFIDENCE that the police are tackling antisocial behaviour remains unchanged despite a high-profile campaign.

A police survey found that between April and June only 59 per cent of people thought the police and council were dealing with antisocial behaviour and crime. The figure was 61 per cent between July and September last year.

Officers launched a summer crackdown on yobs and a campaign to reassure residents that it was safe to go out in the city at night.

In the first month of the antisocial behaviour operation, police say criminal damage was down 19 per cent and complaints about rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour fell by 14 per cent.

Messages promoting the force’s work have been displayed on taxis and buses, in clubs and pubs and around the city centre. And letters are now being sent to residents as part of a public reassurance drive.

This year, £10,000 has also been set aside by the council and police, through the Safe City Partnership, to pay for such “communications”.

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A major biannual survey by pollsters Ipsos Mori found one quarter of people in Southampton said antisocial behaviour was a problem in their area.

But fewer than one in three felt crime and antisocial behaviour was being “tackled effectively”.

Southampton-based Chief Insp Tony Rowlinson said: “There are all sorts of things that make people feel confident and we continue to make sure we do everything we can to protect local people, bring crime down and make Southampton a safer place to live and work.

“That’s reflected in feedback from victims of crime who tell us they are increasingly satisfied with the service we provide.”

Council leader Royston Smith said fear of crime often vastly outweighs actual crime, which last year dropped by 14 per cent in Southampton with 3,261 fewer incidents of antisocial behaviour.

He added: “Addressing people’s perceptions of crime will take time, there is no quick fix. So it is vital that we continue talking to residents, giving them confidence that we are tackling crime. I am confident that as long as we continue to demonstrate to residents what we are doing to keep reducing crime in the city and keeping them safe, that their fear of crime will go down.”