SOUTHAMPTON'S two MPs last night backed Prime Minister Tony Blair's tough new pledge to clampdown on crime and anti-social behaviour.

Southampton Itchen MP and Home Office Minister John Denham and Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead were heartened to hear that next week's Queen Speech, setting out the government's legislative programme, would be dominated by proposals to tackle crime and antisocial be-haviour.

The proposals are set to include an expansion of the fixed penalty charge schemes currently being piloted.

Mr Denham said: "I am very pleased with the Prime Min-ister's comments. He recognises that for many people anti-social behaviour ruins peoples' lives.

"Some of the new legislation being proposed can help, but it's also about communities working closely with agencies like the police. We can get on top of anti-social behaviour and are determined to do so."

Mr Whitehead recently attended a huge public meeting at Millbrook Towers Community Centre in Southampton aimed at tackling local youth crime and nuisance behaviour that prompted a vigilante response.

He said: "We are living in the most prosperous times for many years and yet we still see behaviour that is destructive.

"The fixed penalty fine pilot studies are working well despite initial doubts from some quarters. I also think Anti-Social Behaviour Orders have been a good idea. We need to put intelligent thought into how we can improve our communities in a positive way."