MIDDLESBROUGH Mayor Ray Mallon says he is making good on his promise to clean up the streets with a reduction in crime and a forthcoming blitz on litter.

Yesterday, Mr Mallon - nicknamed Robocop for his no-nonsense attitude to policing - said crime in the town had fallen by 18 per cent since he launched the Raising Hope Initiative, in October.

Burglary has dropped by 40 per cent, car crime by 36 per cent, while aggressive begging and instances of anti- social behaviour have been curtailed after the introduction of the street warden scheme and improved security cameras cover.

"What we have achieved is down to commitment and partnership between all the agencies which want to make Middlesbrough a safer and more pleasant place," said Mr Mallon, delivering a progress report to Middlesbrough Council on the first six months of the initiative.

"Raising Hope is a response to the primary concerns of Middlesbrough people and their wish to see cleaner streets, peaceful neighbourhoods and safe homes, and we can say to them today, 'we will not let you down'."

The council and police have worked together to get four nuisance tenants evicted, three anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) imposed and 158 acceptable behaviour contracts imposed on trouble makers. They have been tackling gang nuisance in Hemlington and Linthorpe by sending warning letters to parents, confiscating alcohol and collecting evidence to prepare more Asbos.

New community pay back schemes for young offenders include tidy-ups around the town centre and £340,000 has been allocated for treatment programmes for those with drug problems.

Mr Mallon told councillors the next phase of the campaign would focus on litter, with the creation of a rapid response unit and a hotspot service to tackle grime.

The council will use £600,000 from the Government's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund to deal with graffiti, fly-tipping and other blights.

Mr Mallon said: "I am frankly appalled at the lack of respect some people show for their town, environment and fellow citizens. This is definitely one area in our campaign that people can help, simply by being more thoughtful.

"But I also acknowledge that the council needs to be quicker and more efficient in dealing with litter.

"These new services will help us do that."