A CRACKDOWN on antisocial behaviour is under way in a Southampton neighbourhood throughout this week.

Southampton City Council and Hampshire Police, along with a number of other health and voluntary organisations, have joined forces for the city's 17th Crime Reduction and Environmental Week (CREW) in the Polygon area.

A week-long programme of events, ranging from sports and community activities to graffiti removal and rubbish clearance, is being staged.

Rubbish will be cleared and residents will be given the opportunity to get rid of larger items of waste today when a 26-tonne compactor will be in the area. Teams of graffiti removers will be working their way through the community as part of the week-long drive to spruce up the Polygon area.

Tomorrow pupils at Spring Hill Catholic Primary School will be getting a visit from those involved in CREW to explain the importance of the project and why it is important to take pride in their community.

During the evening residents will be invited to compete for a selection of prizes in a quiz night at St Mary's church hall from 7pm.

On Friday afternoon representatives from Hampshire Police, Hampshire Fire Service and Neighbourhood Wardens will be pulling on their football boots and teaming up with pupils from The Polygon School for a football match.

The week's activities will end with the opening of the refurbished Sandhurst Road playground on Saturday. As well as enjoying the new equipment, residents will be able to try their hand at dodgeball and enjoy the refreshments provided.

A city council spokesman said: "This week we are really pulling out the stops to clean up the area. If everyone joins in and does their bit it will make a huge difference to the neighbourhood and help to boost community pride."