ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour has a hugely negative impact on the quality of life of those who are affected by it. By varying degrees it can be distracting, annoying and frightening for people on the receiving end. Last weekend some of my constituents in Southcote were subjected to some disgraceful anti-social behaviour, following a house party which got out of control. Having spoken to a number of local residents the police dealt with the situation pretty well, which is to be commended.

But the Government recognises that we need to be doing more to tackle incidents of anti-social behaviour and this week published a consultation on a new streamlined approach to getting to grips with ASB.

Currently there are 18 formal and very prescriptive powers available for the authorities to deal with ASB but unfortunately some of them are just too bureaucratic, too costly and do not address underlying problems. As a result, use of Labour's ASBOs has fallen by more than half since 2005 and at the same time, the breach rate for ASBOs is rising, from under 40% in 2003 to 56% by the end of 2009.

The Coalition Government is consulting on replacing the current cumbersome 18 powers with a smaller number of tools which will be more flexible, quicker to obtain through the courts and less bureaucratic for police, courts and other local agencies to deal with, making it easier to deal with persistent offenders. The new proposals also include a "community trigger", compelling police to investigate incidents that are reported by at least five people from different households in the same neighbourhood.

The Association of Chief Police Officers has backed these plans, while Louise Casey, the Victims' Commissioner, has said that the proposals "put tough enforcement action against perpetrators at the centre". The Home Office consultation is open to all until May 3, and is available at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/

Coming on top of the introduction of street level crime maps, cutting police bureaucracy and paperwork to get more police on the beat, introducing minimum pricing on alcohol in shops and putting the focus on community policing we have some joined-up thinking by government in this area.

Last week, along with other Thames Valley MPs, I met the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police and was very encouraged to hear that her force is committed to making sure that resources are maintained on visible policing with a focus on neighbourhood policing and patrols. This is welcome news for all of us.