LEVELS of anti-social behaviour have increased in Boscombe, despite a concerted effort to tackle the problem.

Latest figures reveal that attempts to reduce anti-social behaviour in Boscombe – one of the council’s top priority areas – are proving more difficult than anticipated.

Anti-social behaviour is gradually reducing across Bourne-mouth, with the number of incidents being reported to Dorset Police reducing by 11 per cent during January to March 2013, compared to the same period the previous year.

The number of incidents in West Howe also reduced by 22 per cent and there were 16 per cent fewer incidents in the town centre area.

But in Boscombe, where councillors had set a target of a five per cent reduction, reported incidents rose by 12.5 per cent.

There were a total of 395 incidents reported in the first quarter of 2013, compared to 351 in the same period the year before.

Cllr Jane Kelly, Boscombe West councillor and cabinet member for regeneration, said she was “not dismayed” by the figures.

“It is because there is such a focus on Boscombe that we have seen increased levels of reporting,” she said.

“It doesn’t mean to say that the situation is any worse than it was before and in fact I think it’s improving in a lot of areas.

“When you raise the profile and ask people to report it and they do, that’s the result you get.

“I’m very, very confident that things will improve very much in the very near future.”

Cllr Dave Smith, whose remit includes community safety, said: “We recognise the issues in Boscombe.

“We have had a very challenging set of circumstances in Boscombe over the years and the council is determined to regenerate the area.

“We are working on a whole range of measures to improve the situation.”