THERE was a significant drop in anti-social behaviour by youngsters in the Andover area in 2002 - thanks to action by police, parents and the introduction of Neigh-bourhood wardens.

A year ago Test Valley Cllr Alan Dowden said a new weapon was needed to combat the fear of crime and concerns about vandalism.

He suggested that anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) represented one way of tackling the problem, but too few had been issued nationally and not one had been used in Test Valley.

At a full council meeting in January last year he said: "Anti-social behaviour is undoubtedly increasing in many areas of the borough and this authority has not sought ASBOs and it is blatantly obvious that we could and should be."

Councillors agreed to back the use of ASBOs as one of a range of options to address the problem.

But Sgt Kevin McCarthy said this week that no ASBO had been issued since then in the Andover division be-cause juvenile nuisance had dropped significantly and no-one had come near to deserving one.

A recent crime survey had revealed a much- reduced perception of juvenile nuisance as being a problem.

There have been six lower-level acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs) issued in Andover.

These can lead to court action for repossession of the home, in conjunction with Testway Housing.

To date only one contract has reached the final warning stage.

Sgt McCarthy said one reason for the drop in nuisance behaviour was successful convictions which had removed some people well known for their anti-social behaviour. These convictions, he said, along with the ABCs, meant the message was getting through.

"It's fair to say that some parents have contributed to this process by taking responsibility for their children's behaviour," said Sgt McCarthy, adding that the new Neighbourhood Wardens have also played an important role.

"But we will still deal robustly with any incidents of anti-social behaviour."