TENANTS have been learning how to tackle anti-social behaviour.

A special training day was held at the Hilton Hotel in Black Dam, Basingstoke, for 60 tenants from across the county.

Run by the Hampshire Training Group - a consortium of housing associations and councils in Hampshire that trains tenants - the event covered the laws concerning anti-social behaviour and how to deal with the prevalent problem.

Steve Brewer, tenancy enforcement officer at Kingfisher Housing Association in Basingstoke, who spoke at the training day, said: "For a long time, it has been quite obvious that tenants must have a voice in how they live and what goes on in their properties."

The Hampshire Training Group trains tenants in a variety of issues, but anti-social behaviour is a relatively new topic as most of the legislation has only been introduced in the last two years, including the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003 and the Police Reform Act 2002.

Mr Brewer added: "The aim of the day was to teach the tenants about the law concerning anti-social behaviour, and what is happening in Hampshire."

Tenants also learned about local experiences with anti-social behaviour and solutions to the problem.

Other speakers were Pc Dave Woods, anti-social behaviour co-ordinator at Basingstoke police, Paul Hayes, community safety manager at Hampshire County Council, and Julie Rawlinson, manager of Basingstoke and District Mediation Service.