VANDALISM repair costs in Fareham have been slashed thanks to the no-nonsense taskforce set up to crack down on yobs.

Civic chiefs have reported a saving of £23,000, bringing council costs for 2003/4 for repairs down to £32,000 - compared with £55,000 for the year before.

Council leader Sean Woodward said the hefty saving is linked to the Vandalism Taskforce's work.

He added: "I set up the taskforce because of the £55,000 figure and the reduction is a direct result of the taskforce. We are delighted."

As well as setting up closed-circuit TV cameras to monitor playgrounds and other target areas, the taskforce has invested in a covert vehicle to provide extra surveillance.

A special enforcement team has also been bolstering efforts to stop wrecking sprees on council property.

Members have imposed a ban on drinking alcohol in public places - which comes into effect on March 1 - in a bid to cut down on booze-fuelled wrecking sprees and other antisocial behaviour.

However, that's not all. The taskforce has another ace up its sleeve to come into effect in April.

Mr Woodward said: "We are investing in a mobile closed-circuit TV camera which will complement the permanent cameras in the borough. It will be able to be moved around all the different hot spots to gather evidence."

However, he was keen to point out that although the council was pleased with the saving - it was still £32,000 too much.

He said: "That's 75p per household in Fareham per year.

"We are still cracking on with it and want to see vandalism cut back even more."

Police say overall vandalism is also showing a marked decrease in the borough.

Insp Simon Wrigglesworth of Fareham police said: "We've been working in very close partnership with the council to target the areas where most damage is caused.

"It certainly reflects in the police statistics where there has been an overall reduction in vandalism in the Fareham area of seven per cent since last April.

"We encourage the public, members of the community and the council to inform us of problems and this shows that it works."