A POLICE crackdown in a Southampton community plagued by noise and vandalism has been hailed a success.

Extra patrols were ordered in the Polygon area after residents and traders complained bitterly about late-night problems.

The blitz on anti-social behaviour was launched at the start of the month to coincide with the new student term, and the extra police patrols will continue until Christmas.

Residents' groups have complained that the area has become overwhelmed with students in the past few years.

Inspector Jackie Willson, who is co-ordinating the crackdown, said the patrols, made up of special constables, had already been called into action.

"It has been going well so far," she said.

"They have been dealing with things like urinating in streets, traffic cones being thrown about and damage to vehicles.

"They have also called at numerous addresses to ask people to turn down their music and reminding them that it is a residential area.

"The sort of numbers that we have caught are what we expected and we hope that as the patrols go on they will act as a deterrent."

The blitz will continue until December but will probably resume again for the start of a term in the new year.

But Insp Willson said students were not the only culprits.

"We do get most calls about anti-social behaviour during the term-time, but we have found that others are to blame as well," she said.

Most of the patrols take place over weekends, but officers will be going out on weekdays as well.

Yvonne Enright, chairman of the Fitzhugh Place Residents Association in the Polygon, said: "If the police are doing something about the problems then I fully commend it.

"I think that the police and city council have realised that something needs to be done around here."