COUNCIL chiefs have issued 14 acceptable behaviour contracts in Halton over the past 12 months in response to unruly behaviour and low-level crime.

The contracts are related to anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) and act as an attempt to prevent loutish and harassing behaviour from causing alarm or distress to other residents.

The individual is obliged to sign the agreement, preventing him or her from daubing graffiti, damaging property, congregating in groups in communal areas, clambering on rooftops and swearing or throwing objects at passersby.

Although the majority of ABCs have been sanctioned by the council, three have been introduced in joint partnership with police.

There have also been a total of four ASBOs made in the borough this year.

Police have issued two ASBOs and an interim order was made against Tracey Ireland, of Beaconsfield Road in Runcorn, following her eviction by Halton Borough Council.

Her 15-year-old daughter, Joanne, was dealt with by an ASBO earlier this year for drinking and urinating in the street.

When an ABC fails, an ASBO is normally brought into place and local authorities and registered social landlords are urged to take action by evicting their tenants whenever residents consider it necessary.

Despite using Government powers of ABCs, the council has not introduced the £40 fixed penalty notices for offences including littering, graffiti and night-time noise.

A spokeswoman for Halton council said: 'There hasn't been an official decision yet around fixed penalty notices, but there have been around 14 acceptable behaviour contracts brought about this year.

'Two of the ASBOs were brought about by the council - the other two were police ASBOs - but there could have been more dealt with by other agencies.'

Across the region, Liverpool City Council dealt with 4,500 incidents of anti-social behaviour in just 12 months, placing it among 10 'trailblazer' areas being given Home Office help.

Council bosses will now be urged to create an action plan to target the worst areas of anti-social behaviour across the city.

Compared to surrounding cities, Liverpool dwarfed figures of 1,432 in Manchester and 1,000 in Birmingham - although Sheffield, with 7,422, has dealt with the most incidents.

Fresh powers can only be introduced to communities through an Act of Parliament and it is hoped civil courts will be given the right to send people with ASBOs for drug treatment.