NUISANCE behaviour among city youngsters could become the target of a major Southampton council crackdown.

According to a council report, there is a "disproportionate level of fear of crime in Southampton, " with only a third of citizens feeling safe after dark.

Community safety consistently tops the list of residents' concerns in surveys carried out over the last few years.

Now bosses are planning to combat the fear factor by launching a £100,000 crackdown on antisocial behaviour.

Cabinet members will decide on Monday whether to release £50,000 to pay for two more city patrol officers, bringing the total up to ten.

They also have the chance to free up another £50,000 for so-called diversionary activities, such as out of school clubs and youth groups for eight to 13-year-olds.

A draft antisocial behaviour action plan has been drawn up, detailing ways to tackle the problem in Southampton. Now councillors are expected to sign up to the long-term aim of creating a safe city. The spend would see a boosted team of officers patrolling Southampton neighbourhoods for truants, under-age drinkers and people who let their dogs foul the streets.

They have powers to hand out penalties for certain offences and prevent nuisance behaviour turning into criminal activity.

Plans for the next six months also include putting up codes of conduct in public places like libraries, setting up an information website, more CCTV and nominating a councillor to champion youth issues.

Other ideas suggested in the action plan could see pub licensees paying for costs of anti-social behaviour and council home tenants rewarded for good behaviour.

Antisocial behaviour can include anything from unkempt gardens to graffiti and vandalism.